Beaverhead crater

Beaverhead crater
Beaverhead crater
Location of Beaverhead crater in Idaho
Impact crater/structure
Confidence confirmed [1]
Diameter 60 kilometres (37 mi)
Age 600 million years
Exposed Yes
Drilled No
Location
Coordinates 44°36′N 113°0′W / 44.600°N 113.000°W / 44.600; -113.000Coordinates: 44°36′N 113°0′W / 44.600°N 113.000°W / 44.600; -113.000
Country United States
State Idaho, Montana

The Beaverhead crater is an impact structure spanning the U.S. states of Idaho and Montana. Estimated at 60 kilometers (37 mi) in diameter, it is one of the largest impact craters on Earth.

With an estimated age of 600 million years (Neoproterozoic), the impact's original shatter cones along the crater's perimeter provide some of the structure's only remaining visible evidence.

It is named for the Beaverhead region of southwestern Montana in which it was first discovered.

See also

References

  1. "Beaverhead". Earth Impact Database. University of New Brunswick. Retrieved 2015-01-02.

Further reading


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