Hidden beneath the surface of Deniliquin, a rural town in New South Wales, lies what scientists believe to be the largest crater on Earth. This colossal impact structure, published in the Technophysics journal, spans an impressive diameter of approximately 520km. To put that into perspective, it is three times wider than the famous Chicxulub crater in Mexico, which was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.
While the Deniliquin crater has yet to be confirmed through drilling, experts hypothesize that it is linked to the Late Ordovician extinction event that occurred around 445.2 to 443.8 million years ago. This catastrophic event wiped out a staggering 85% of life on Earth during that time. Interestingly, back then, the Deniliquin structure formed part of the eastern region of the Gondwana supercontinent before it split apart.
There are numerous challenges in identifying impact structures, as erosion can significantly alter their appearance over millions of years. However, one distinguishing feature of impact structures is the presence of an uplifted core, similar to a splash created by a pebble dropped into a pool of water. This central uplifted dome is what scientists look for to confirm the existence of an impact structure. In the case of the Deniliquin crater, the evidence currently relies on geophysical data obtained from the surface.
To further confirm the impact and determine the age of the structure, scientists plan to gather physical samples by drilling deep into its magnetic center. By dating the extracted material, they hope to gain a more precise understanding of the structure’s origins. It was scientists, Tony Yeates and colleagues, who initially discovered a magnetic pattern beneath the Murray Basin in New South Wales, between 1995 and 2000, which hinted at the existence of a buried impact structure. Further analysis conducted from 2015 to 2020 revealed the expansive 520km wide structure with a seismically defined dome.
Australia boasts a history of impact structures, with at least 28 confirmed and 43 potential structures. The Deniliquin crater, if confirmed, will undoubtedly claim the title of the largest meteor crater on Earth. Its discovery and the subsequent research shed light on the Earth’s tumultuous past and the significant impact of celestial collisions.
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