Gosse Bluff Crater

　　Gosse Bluff Crater is located in the Northern Territory, about 175 kilometers from Alice Springs, and formed approximately 142 million years ago. Around 142 million years ago, a planet or comet with a diameter of 22 kilometers struck Australia at a speed of 40 kilometers per second. Upon impact, the celestial body turned into a blazing furnace, penetrating about 800 meters into the ground. The enormous energy released was equivalent to 22,000 megatons of TNT, obliterating an area of about 400 square kilometers around it.

　　Gosse Bluff Crater was discovered in 1873. Before being found by scientists, it had long been known to the local Aboriginal people, who had since moved away but left traces of their past activities all around. The unintentional impact of the planet or comet created Australia’s largest crater—Gosse Bluff Crater. Originally, the crater had a diameter of about 20 kilometers; today, only a 4-kilometer-wide central portion remains. Like most similar craters, Gosse Bluff features radial fractures spreading outward from the center, forming conical shatter cones. The debris that once filled the crater has been eroded away over the years by wind and rain, and now the rim features two hard sandstone cliffs rising 180 meters above the surrounding plain.

　　Gosses Bluff Crater Must-visit reason: One of Australia’s most famous impact craters Continent: Oceania Country/Region: Australia State/Territory: Northern Territory