Australian impact structure facts for kids

The Australian impact structure, also known as MAPCIS, is believed to be the remains of a giant space rock hitting Earth a very long time ago. Scientists think its center is in the Northern Territory of Australia, between Uluru and Mount Conner. If confirmed, it would be the largest impact structure ever found on our planet!

What is the Australian Impact Structure?

The Australian impact structure is a huge area of land that scientists believe was formed when a massive meteorite crashed into Earth. This event would have happened millions of years ago, during a time called the Precambrian or Cambrian periods. This is why it's sometimes called the "massive Australian Precambrian/Cambrian impact structure," or MAPCIS for short.

What is an Impact Structure?

An impact structure is the mark left on a planet's surface after a large object from space, like a meteorite, hits it. When a meteorite crashes, it creates a huge hole called a crater. Over millions of years, these craters can get worn down by weather and covered by new layers of rock. Even if the original crater isn't visible anymore, scientists can still find clues in the rocks below. These clues help them understand where and when an impact happened.

Where is it Located?

The suspected center of the Australian impact structure is in the Northern Territory of Australia. This area is quite remote. It is located roughly halfway between two famous Australian landmarks: Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) and Mount Conner. Both Uluru and Mount Conner are large, distinctive rock formations.

How Big is it?

Scientists believe the main part of the crater is about 600 kilometers (370 miles) wide. To give you an idea, that's roughly the distance from London to Paris! There might also be a much wider ring, about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) across, that could be connected to this impact. If this wider ring is confirmed, it would make MAPCIS truly enormous.

Is it Confirmed?

At the moment, the Australian impact structure is still a theory. It is not yet fully confirmed by all scientists. Researchers are continuing to study the area to find more evidence. If they can confirm it, MAPCIS would become the largest known impact structure on Earth.

Is it the Oldest?

Even if MAPCIS is confirmed as the largest, it would not be the oldest impact structure ever found on Earth. Scientists have found evidence of even older impacts in other parts of the world. However, its size would still make it a very important discovery for understanding Earth's history and how it has been shaped by events from space.