Scientists discovered in Australia a fascinating subterranean mystery: hidden beneath the modern landscape of NSW, they figured out what the effect structure might be of the largest asteroid ever known on Earth, according to a recent article in The Conversation.
The famous meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs is known as Chicxulub. It hit Yucatan 66 million years ago and had a width of approximately 170 kilometers. The same one wiped out 75% of the species on Earth back then.
The discovery that was made in Australia shows that Chicxulub would now be the third-largest crater. The second would be the crater Peace Fortress, located in South Africa, with a diameter of approximately 300 kilometers. First place in size after the rediscovery would be occupied by the recent discovery in Australia, which would have a width of 520 km.
geologists Andrew Glikson and Tony Yeates They named the probable crater “Deniliquin“. This is deep in the territory of New South Wales, Australia. Scientists have been studying the structure since 1995, when magnetic surveys revealed an unusual symmetrical wave pattern. In recent years, with technological advances, geologists’ efforts have increased to complete the discovery of the area.
Both scientists reiterate that confirmation of the structure’s existence will come as they drill and sample at depth. For comparison, the city of Ro Gallegos would enter the largest impact footprint on the planet about nine times.
In an article for The Conversation, geologist Andrew Glikson added that the impact may have happened 460 million years ago, when Australia was part of the Gondwana supercontinent, for example. And just like the Chicxulub, which caused the extinction of 75% of the species at that time, the Deniliquin would have wiped out 85% in its time
