Crawford is an
impact crater
An impact crater is a circular depression in the surface of a solid astronomical object formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller object. In contrast to volcanic craters, which result from explosion or internal collapse, impact craters ...
near
Adelaide
Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...
in
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
, Australia.
The Crawford crater is up to 8.5 km long, and is thought to have been formed by oblique (low angle) impact. Its age is estimated to be greater than 35 million years (probably
Eocene
The Eocene ( ) Epoch is a geological epoch (geology), epoch that lasted from about 56 to 33.9 million years ago (mya). It is the second epoch of the Paleogene Period (geology), Period in the modern Cenozoic Era (geology), Era. The name ''Eocene' ...
). Quartz rocks affected by impact-related pressure are present at the site, which is a flat area. The affected rocks are exposed at the surface.
References
Further reading
* Haines, P. W., Therriault, A.M. and Kelley,S.P., Evidence for a mid-Cenozoic (?), low angle multiple impacts in south Australia. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, v.34, supplement, p. 49. 1999
Impact craters of South Australia
Eocene impact craters
Eocene Australia
Adelaide Hills
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