Glover Bluff crater facts for kids

Glover Bluff is a special place in Wisconsin, United States. It's a giant hole in the ground called an impact crater. This crater was made a long, long time ago when a meteorite crashed into Earth.

The Glover Bluff crater is about 4 miles (6.4 km) south of a town called Coloma, Wisconsin. It's quite big, measuring about 5 miles (8 km) across! Scientists think this impact happened less than 500 million years ago, during a time called the Cambrian Period. Unlike some craters that are hidden, this one is right there on the surface for us to see.

What is Glover Bluff?

Glover Bluff is a meteorite crater in Wisconsin. It was formed when a space rock, or meteorite, hit the Earth. This created a large, bowl-shaped depression in the ground. The crater is a significant geological feature.

How Big is the Glover Bluff Crater?

The Glover Bluff crater is about 5 miles (8 kilometers) wide. That's a huge size for a crater! Scientists believe it formed less than 500 million years ago. This makes it a very old feature on our planet.

Why is Glover Bluff Special?

Glover Bluff is special because it's an impact site. It shows us what happens when objects from space hit Earth. It's also one of the least studied impact sites in the world. This means there's still a lot to learn about it.

Discovering the Crater's Secrets

For many years, people have been digging in the middle of the Glover Bluff crater. They are quarrying for a type of rock called dolomite. Quarrying means digging out rocks from the ground. This area was also covered by moraine, which are piles of rock and dirt left behind by melting glaciers.

Evidence of a Meteorite Impact

As people dig for dolomite, they sometimes uncover clues. These clues tell us that a meteorite really did crash here. But sadly, as they dig, some of this important evidence gets destroyed. It's a bit ironic, meaning it's a strange situation.

Scientists look for specific things to prove an impact:

• Central bulge: The middle of the crater is pushed up.
• Dipped strata: Layers of rock are bent downwards.
• Shatter cones: These are cone-shaped rocks with grooves. They form only from the extreme pressure of an impact.
• Impact breccia: This is a rock made of broken pieces. It forms when rocks are shattered and then cemented together.

What is Impact Breccia?

Impact breccia is a special type of rock found at impact sites. It looks like a mix of broken rock pieces stuck together. At Glover Bluff, you can find red and yellow kinds of breccia. These rocks contain many broken bits of other rocks, like quartzite. They are strong evidence of a powerful impact.