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.
| 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[2] |
| Country | United States |
  Sierra Madera Sierra Madera in Texas | |
| Topo map | Sierra Madera |
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]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "SierraMadera". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre University of New Brunswick Fredericton. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
- ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Sierra Madera
- ^ Sierra Madera from the Handbook of Texas Online
- ^ Phinney, William (2015). Science Training History of the Apollo Astronauts. NASA SP -2015-626. pp. 251–252.
External links
edit- Geology of the Sierra Madera cryptoexplosion structure, Pecos County, Texas, Professional Paper 599- H, By: H.G. Wilshire, T.W. Offield, K.A. Howard, and David Cummings. 1972.
- Sierra Madera astrobleme, Center for Energy and Economic Diversification (CEED), University of Texas of the Permian Basin
- La Escalera Ranch - site of Sierra Madera crater
- Sierra Madera astrobleme, Sibley Nature Center, Midland, Texas
- Sierra Madera Meteor Crater photos by Phil Stuart
- Photos of West Texas and the Llano Estacado
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