Johnsonville crater facts for kids
 Location in the United States
Location in South Carolina
|
|
| Impact crater/structure | |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Proven Not confirmed |
| Diameter | ~11 km (6.8 mi) |
| Age | 35 ± 0.3 Ma Late Eocene |
| Exposed | Yes |
| Drilled | No |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 33°49′N 79°22′W / 33.817°N 79.367°W |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| District | Florence County |
| Municipality | Johnsonville |
The Johnsonville crater, also called the Snow's Island crater, is a large, round area on the Earth's surface. It is located where the Lynches River and the Pee Dee River meet in South Carolina, United States. Some scientists believe this area is an impact crater. This means it was formed when a space object, like an asteroid, crashed into Earth.
Scientists think that Snow's Island is a raised area in the middle of the crater. This bump likely formed right after the impact. The entire structure is about 8 miles (13 kilometers) wide. However, it's not easy to see on the surface because it's not clearly defined.
What is the Johnsonville Crater?
Scientists first found clues about the Johnsonville crater by looking at magnetic anomalies. These are unusual changes in the Earth's magnetic field. They also studied rock samples taken from deep wells drilled in the area. These samples, called cores, showed special rocks called breccia. Breccia is a type of rock made of broken pieces cemented together. Finding this kind of rock can be a sign of an impact event.
Is it a Real Crater?
The Russian Academy of Sciences lists the Johnsonville crater as a proven impact crater. This means they are sure it was formed by an impact. However, the Earth Impact Database (EID) does not yet confirm it. The EID is a main list of confirmed impact craters around the world. Scientists continue to study the area to gather more proof.
