Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have unveiled stunning new images of a massive asteroid impact crater hidden beneath the Atlantic Ocean.
The Nadir Crater, measuring 9 kilometers wide, was discovered 300 meters under the ocean floor and is believed to be around 66 million years old.
This places it at the same time as the Chicxulub impact in Mexico, which is known for wiping out the dinosaurs.
Thanks to high-resolution 3D seismic data, scientists were able to capture detailed images of the Nadir Crater, providing a rare glimpse into what happened during and after the asteroid struck.
The asteroid, estimated to be 450 to 500 meters wide, slammed into Earth at a speed of about 72,000 km per hour, creating an initial bowl-shaped crater and causing the surrounding rocks to act like fluid.
The impact caused massive destruction, including a damage zone covering thousands of square kilometers and a tsunami over 800 meters high that likely swept across the Atlantic.
Dr. Uisdean Nicholson, who discovered the crater in 2022, compared the new 3D images to advancements in medical technology, saying it’s like going from a grainy ultrasound to a clear 3D scan.
This level of detail allows researchers to “peel back the layers” and see what lies beneath the surface in a way that hasn’t been possible with other marine craters.
The data also revealed fascinating insights into the moments after the impact, including landslides and tsunami waves moving back and forth across the crater.
Dr. Nicholson described the event as catastrophic, and the findings could help scientists better understand asteroid impacts, both on Earth and other planets.
Researchers are now planning to drill into the seabed to collect more information, which will help confirm the exact age and effects of the asteroid.
While this discovery offers a unique look at a past impact, scientists continue to monitor objects like Bennu, a 400-meter-wide asteroid in near-Earth orbit. Though the chance of Bennu hitting Earth is low, the most significant date for a potential impact is September 24, 2182.
This discovery provides a rare opportunity to study a well-preserved underwater crater, helping us learn more about the history of asteroid impacts on Earth.
Source: KSR.
