Barringer Crater (Meteor Crater)

Barringer Crater, also known as Meteor Crater, is a well-preserved impact site in Arizona formed around 50,000 years ago when a meteorite approximately 150 feet wide struck the Earth. The collision released immense energy, creating a roughly 1 mile wide and 560-foot deep crater. The crater's exposed walls reveal layers of sediment and rock, providing valuable insights into impact processes. It remains one of the best-preserved impact craters on Earth, attracting scientists and visitors alike, and serving as a prime example of extraterrestrial impacts shaping our planet.