Scientists Say They've Found the Largest Asteroid Impact Crater Hiding in Plain Sight

Scientists Say They've Found the Largest Asteroid Impact Crater Hiding in Plain Sight
Researchers have discovered the world's largest asteroid impact crater in New South Wales, Australia, estimated to be 323 miles in diameter.
The impact may have occurred between 445 and 443 million years ago and could have contributed to a mass extinction event known as the Hirnantian glaciation stage, which eliminated about 85% of Earth's species.
The discovery was made by analyzing geophysical data, including magnetic readings and the presence of radial faults, but physical evidence of shock can only be obtained through deep drilling.

Scientists Say They've Found the Largest Asteroid Impact Crater Hiding in Plain Sight
Researchers at the University of New South Wales claim to have discovered the world's largest asteroid impact crater in New South Wales, Australia, with a diameter of 323 miles.
The impact may have occurred between 445 and 443 million years ago and could have contributed to the Hirnantian glaciation stage, a mass extinction event that wiped out 85 percent of Earth's species.
The crater, known as the Deniliquin structure, is nearly double the size of the current record-holding crater in South Africa.
Scientists have identified indicative physical phenomena, such as a symmetrical rippling pattern in magnetic readings and radial faults typical of large impact structures, to support their claim.