Crooked Creek crater facts for kids
Faults and other tectonic structures related to the Crooked Creek crater on a shaded relief map
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| Impact crater/structure | |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 4.3 mi (7 km) |
| Age | 320 ± 80 Ma (Mississippian) |
| Exposed | Yes |
| Drilled | No |
| Bolide type | see 38th parallel structures |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 37°50′N 91°23′W / 37.833°N 91.383°W |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| District | Crawford County |
 Location in the United States
Location in Missouri
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| Topo map | USGS Cook Station |
The Crooked Creek crater is a special bowl-shaped hole in the ground. It is located in Crawford County, Missouri, in the United States. This crater was formed a very long time ago when a space rock, like an asteroid or comet, crashed into Earth.
The Crooked Creek crater is about 4.3 miles (7 km) wide. That's roughly the size of a small town! Scientists believe it was created around 320 million years ago. This time in Earth's history is known as the Mississippian period. Unlike many craters that get buried over time, the Crooked Creek crater can still be seen on the surface today.
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What is the Crooked Creek Crater?
An impact crater is a large hole left behind after a space object hits a planet or moon. The Crooked Creek crater is one such example right here on Earth. It is found in the state of Missouri.
Scientists study these craters to learn about Earth's past. They also help us understand how often space rocks hit our planet. The Crooked Creek crater is a great place to study these events.
How Old is the Crooked Creek Crater?
The Crooked Creek crater is very old. It formed approximately 320 million years ago. This age is from the Mississippian period. The Mississippian period was a time when Earth's continents looked very different. Many new types of plants and animals were also appearing.
Scientists figure out the age of craters using special tests. They look at rocks and minerals found at the impact site. These tests help them understand when the big crash happened.
Why Can We Still See This Crater?
Many impact craters get covered up over millions of years. They might be hidden by new layers of rock or worn away by erosion. Erosion is when wind and water slowly break down and carry away rock.
However, the Crooked Creek crater is still visible on the surface. This means it has been preserved well over time. It gives us a clear look at a very ancient impact event.
The 38th Parallel Structures
The Crooked Creek crater is part of a fascinating group of features. These are called the 38th parallel structures. They are a series of circular depressions. These depressions stretch across the central United States.
Scientists think these structures might be linked. Some believe they could be the result of a "serial impact." This means several space rocks might have hit Earth one after another. They could have been pieces of a larger comet or asteroid that broke apart.
What is a Serial Impact?
Imagine a large space rock breaking into many pieces. If these pieces hit Earth in a line, it's called a serial impact. This is like a string of pearls hitting the ground. Each pearl would create its own crater.
The 38th parallel structures are being studied to see if this happened. If true, it would be an amazing discovery. It would tell us more about how space objects can affect our planet.
