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Arizona's Cosmic Bullseye by The_Eagle Overview
Meteor Crater, also known as Barringer Crater, is a well-preserved impact crater, formed around 50,000 years ago when a massive iron-nickel meteorite, roughly 150 feet in diameter, collided with the Earth's surface at a velocity of approximately 26,000 miles per hour. The largest portion of this Meteor ever found, was 7 miles away by the Canyon Diablo settlement ruins. The impact unleashed a huge explosion, creating a crater nearly 1 mile wide and 550 feet deep. Over time, the crater has undergone erosion, but it remains one of the best-preserved impact craters on Earth. Originally it was more than 700' deep.
You can explore the crater's rim via a 0.8 RT mile guided tour and/or a 0.3 mile self-guided tour. There is no other hiking available. There is a visitor center/Museum with displays and exhibits about impact craters, meteorites, and the Earth's geology. Meteor Crater provides valuable insights into the Earth's history and the possible dangers of other falling objects. Be forewarned that if lightning has been recorded 10-15 miles away, the guided tour will be suspended. This is due to the large concentration of iron-nickel that was vaporized into tiny specs on impact. History Daniel M. Barringer, an iron company businessman, received a land patent signed by Theodore Roosevelt for 640 acres around the center of the crater in 1903. Unaware that most of the meteorite vaporized on impact, he spent 27 years and most of his fortune drilling over 1300 ft. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
