Wells Creek crater facts for kids
Wells Creek crater in 1953
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| Impact crater/structure | |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Confirmed |
| Diameter | 12 km (7.5 mi) |
| Age | 200±100 Ma Mesozoic |
| Exposed | Yes |
| Drilled | Yes |
| Location | |
| Location | Cumberland City, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36°22′40″N 87°39′30″W / 36.37778°N 87.65833°W |
| Country |  United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| Province | Houston & Stewart Counties |
 Wells Creek crater
Location in the United States
Wells Creek crater
Location in Tennessee
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| Access | Private |
The Wells Creek crater is a huge bowl-shaped hole in the ground near Cumberland City, Tennessee. It's about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) wide. Scientists believe it was formed around 200 million years ago, during a time called the Jurassic Period or close to it. You can see parts of this ancient crater on the surface today.
Inside the crater, you can find amazing rocks called shatter cones. These special rocks are so good that many have been collected and are shown in museums all over the world!
Contents
What is an Impact Crater?
An impact crater is a big hole made when a large object from space, like an asteroid or a comet, crashes into a planet or moon. When this happens, it creates a huge explosion. This explosion digs out a bowl-shaped hole in the ground.
The Wells Creek crater was formed by such an event. It shows us how powerful these space collisions can be. Scientists study craters like this to learn about Earth's history. They also learn about objects flying around in our solar system.
The Amazing Shatter Cones
Shatter cones are very special rocks that look like parts of a cone. They have grooves or lines that spread out from the top. These unique shapes are made by the extreme pressure and shockwaves from a meteorite impact.
Finding shatter cones is a strong sign that a place is an impact crater. The ones at Wells Creek are some of the best examples in the world. They help scientists confirm that a space rock hit this area a long, long time ago.
Wells Creek: A Look Back in Time
The Wells Creek crater is about 200 million years old. This means it formed during the Mesozoic Era. This was a time when dinosaurs roamed the Earth! Imagine a giant space rock hitting the ground when dinosaurs were alive.
Today, parts of the crater are visible on the surface. This allows scientists to study it easily. They can learn about the rocks and how they changed after the impact. The crater is a natural window into Earth's ancient past.
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