Vredefort Impact

About

The Vredefort Impact Structure, located in the Free State province of South Africa, is the largest verified impact structure on Earth. It was formed approximately 2 billion years ago during the Paleoproterozoic Era. The original crater is estimated to have been between 170 and 300 kilometers in diameter. The impact was caused by an asteroid, initially thought to be about 10 kilometers in diameter, but recent estimates suggest it could have been larger, possibly between 20 and 25 kilometers across, traveling at high velocities. The impact significantly altered the surrounding geology, creating a central uplift known as the Vredefort Dome, which is about 70 kilometers in diameter. The structure has been extensively eroded over time, but it remains a significant geological feature with concentric rings of deformed rock. The Vredefort Dome was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 due to its unique geological significance. It provides valuable insights into Earth's early history and the effects of large asteroid impacts on the planet's surface.