5 Questions
What caused the features listed in the Earth Impact Database?
Collision of meteors or comets with the Earth
How is the diameter of eroded or buried craters typically stated?
Best available estimate of the original rim diameter
What are the time units used to measure the age of impact craters?
ka (thousands) or Ma (millions) of years
How old are craters categorized as '10 ka or less'?
Less than ten thousand years old
What are the largest craters within a time period included in the list?
Only the largest craters
Study Notes
Impact Craters
- Features listed in the Earth Impact Database are caused by meteorite or asteroid impacts on the Earth's surface.
Crater Diameter Measurement
- The diameter of eroded or buried craters is typically stated as the original diameter, which is estimated based on geological evidence.
Age of Impact Craters
- The age of impact craters is measured in time units such as ka (kiloannum, or thousand years), Ma (megaannum, or million years), and Ga (gigaannum, or billion years).
Crater Age Categories
- Craters categorized as '10 ka or less' are less than 10,000 years old, indicating that they are relatively young and well-preserved.
Largest Craters by Time Period
- The largest craters within a time period are included in the list, providing a representation of the most significant impacts that have occurred on the Earth's surface over time.
Test your knowledge of impact craters on Earth with this quiz featuring a selection of the largest and most significant craters listed in the Earth Impact Database. Challenge yourself to identify these geological features and learn about their sizes and ages.
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