Virginia’s landscape is certainly full of hidden gems, but few people realize just beyond the shoreline awaits an ancient ocean dating back millions of years. While this may sound like the plot of some science fiction movie, it’s entirely true. Here’s more on this baffling finding just off the coast of Cape Charles:

Under the town of Cape Charles, which is situated on the southern portion of Virginia's Eastern Shore, lies a massive crater.
Chesapeake Bay Program/flickr
The crater was formed approximately 35 million years ago, when a giant asteroid crashed into the earth at what's now considered to be the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.
Wikipedia
The impact was so severe, in fact, that it cause several tsunamis which may have reached as far as the Blue Ridge Mountains over 100 miles away.
nrg_crisis/flickr

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While scientists were aware of this incident, they didn't realize until relatively recently that the crater helped preserve seawater that dates back between 100-145 million years ago.
Chesapeake Bay Program/flickr
This discovery was nothing short of groundbreaking. Previous samples of deep groundwater puzzled scientists, as they were significantly saltier than the Bay waters. It is believed that as North America separated from the other continents, the North Atlantic Ocean was just one of the salty basins created.
V&V HOSPITALITY/flickr
These findings have allowed further insight into the evolution of the Chesapeake Bay as well as other natural systems in Virginia. Who knows what other secrets may be hiding off this gorgeous coast?
tjdatsrt/flickr

Curious to learn more about these findings? Be sure to check out this National Geographic article that highlights the discovery. For related content, you’ll enjoy reading about how This Scenic Mountain In Virginia Is Actually An Ancient Volcano.

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