Yarrabubba Impact

About

The Yarrabubba impact is the oldest known asteroid impact structure on Earth, dating back approximately 2.229 billion years. Located in Western Australia, it is a significant geological feature with a diameter of about 70 kilometers. The impact occurred during a period known as "Snowball Earth," when much of the planet was covered in ice. Researchers have suggested that the impact might have played a role in ending this ice age by releasing large amounts of water vapor into the atmosphere, potentially creating a greenhouse effect. The age of the Yarrabubba crater was determined by analyzing minerals like zircon and monazite, which were affected by the impact. Computer simulations have supported the idea that such an event could have contributed to global warming. Despite its age, Yarrabubba remains an important site for understanding Earth's early history and the potential impact of asteroid strikes on climate change. The crater's location on the Yilgarn Craton, one of Earth's oldest surviving pieces of crust, has helped preserve its structure over time.