🌍 Craters Through Time

Explore the dramatic history of asteroid impacts that have shaped our planet over billions of years

190+ Confirmed Impact Craters
4.6B Years of Impact History
66M Years Since Chicxulub

A Journey Through Cosmic Catastrophes

From the massive bombardment that scarred the early Earth to the impact that ended the age of dinosaurs, asteroid collisions have been pivotal moments in our planet's history. This interactive story map takes you on a chronological journey through the most significant impact events, revealing how these cosmic encounters have shaped life, geology, and the very evolution of our world.

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Major Impact Events

Discover the largest and most influential asteroid impacts in Earth's history

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Mass Extinctions

Learn how impacts triggered some of the most dramatic changes in life on Earth

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Scientific Evidence

Explore the geological and fossil evidence that tells these ancient stories

Interactive Impact History

Explore Earth's impact crater timeline through interactive maps and stories

Earth's Impact Timeline

Click on any event to learn more about these cosmic catastrophes

Late Heavy Bombardment

4.6 - 3.8 billion years ago

Intense period of asteroid and comet impacts that shaped the early Earth and Moon

Vredefort Impact

2.023 billion years ago

Earth's largest verified impact structure (300km diameter) in South Africa

Sudbury Impact

1.85 billion years ago

Created one of the world's largest nickel deposits in Ontario, Canada

Manicouagan Impact

214 million years ago

Created the distinctive ring-shaped lake in Quebec, Canada (100km diameter)

Chicxulub Impact

66 million years ago

The asteroid that ended the age of dinosaurs (180km crater in Mexico)

Ries Impact

15 million years ago

Well-preserved crater in Germany that helped prove impact theory

Barringer Crater

50,000 years ago

First confirmed meteorite impact site, perfectly preserved in Arizona

Tunguska Event

1908 CE

Atmospheric explosion over Siberia, flattened 2,000 km² of forest

Chelyabinsk Meteor

2013 CE

Airburst over Russia, injured 1,500 people with shockwave

Most Notable Impact Craters

Chicxulub Crater

180 km diameter 66 million years ago

The impact that ended the Cretaceous period and the age of dinosaurs. Located beneath the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.

Vredefort Dome

300 km diameter 2 billion years ago

Earth's largest verified impact structure, located in South Africa. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sudbury Basin

250 km diameter 1.85 billion years ago

One of the oldest impact structures on Earth, now a major source of nickel and other metals in Canada.

Barringer Crater

1.2 km diameter 50,000 years ago

Also known as Meteor Crater, this well-preserved crater in Arizona was the first confirmed meteorite impact site.

Ready to Simulate Your Own Impact?

Use our advanced 2D impact simulator with detailed scientific analysis to create your own scenarios and see the potential effects of future impacts.

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