Sierra Madera crater (original) (raw)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sierra Madera Crater
Sierra Madera viewed from US Highway 385
Impact crater/structure
Confidence Confirmed[1]
Diameter 8 mi (13 km)
Age 100 million years
Exposed Yes
Drilled Yes
Location
Location Pecos County, West Texas
Coordinates 30°36′N 102°55′W / 30.600°N 102.917°W / 30.600; -102.917[2]
Country United States
Sierra Madera is located in TexasSierra MaderaSierra MaderaSierra Madera in Texas
Topo map Sierra Madera

Air photo of central peak complex

The Sierra Madera crater is a meteorite crater (astrobleme) in southwestern Pecos County, Texas, United States.[1] The central peak of the rebound structure of the impact crater rises 793 ft (242 m) above the surrounding land.[3] The peak is visible from U.S. Highway 385 between Fort Stockton, Texas and Marathon, Texas. The Sierra Madera crater is located on private property on the La Escalera Ranch.

It is 13 km (8 mi) in diameter and the age is estimated to be less than 100 million years (Cretaceous or younger).[1]

Apollo 17's Gene Cernan and Jack Schmitt did some of their geological training here.[4]

  1. ^ a b c "SierraMadera". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre University of New Brunswick Fredericton. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sierra Madera
  3. ^ Sierra Madera from the Handbook of Texas Online
  4. ^ Phinney, William (2015). Science Training History of the Apollo Astronauts. NASA SP -2015-626. pp. 251–252.