Few People Know About The Massive Meteorite Impact Crater Hiding In The Suburbs Of St. Paul, Minnesota
In late 2022, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities scientists discovered a massive Minnesota meteorite impact crater hiding beneath the Earth’s surface, along the Mississippi River bluffs in Inver Grove Heights, a suburb south of St. Paul. Here’s what we know.
University of Minnesota scientists estimate that a massive meteor streaked through Earth's atmosphere about 490 million years ago.
That would have been during the Cambrian period when the only lifeforms were simple organisms that lived in the oceans. And the land that is now Minnesota was in an entirely different location on the planet at the time (think equatorial Eagan).
The impact was centered, roughly, beneath where U.S. Hwy. 52 now runs through Inver Grove Heights.
The crater is at least 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide and lies about 350 feet below the surface.
Based on estimates of the crater size, the meteorite that struck Inver Grove Heights (or, rather, the place where it now sits) was between 150 and 600 meters across.
That's 50 to 200 times larger than this 64-tonne meteorite that struck Namibia. The crater it created would be one of the larger known impact craters - of which there are only 190 on Earth (so far).
The impact crater encompasses all of Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
It's the best place to get out and explore the area.
Unfortunately, though, because the crater's features are so far underground, they're not really noticeable from the surface - at least not without the proper scientific knowledge and the assistance of geological instruments.
But it's a really pleasant area to explore, and you'll find some of the best river bluffs in the Twin Cities Metro.
And you can enjoy the Mississippi River valley and all of its fine geological features, knowing that you're standing 350 feet above a massive meteorite impact crater.
Scientists still have much work to do, but they are hopeful the crater will one day be included in the Earth Impact Database. After you’ve had time to explore the SNA and think existential thoughts about meteorite impacts, you may feel a little hungry. Head a few minutes farther south on U.S. 52 to Little Oscar’s Restaurant – you’ll feel better if you do.
Had you heard about this Minnesota meteorite impact crater? Are there any other unusual geologic features in Minnesota we should know about?
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Address: Pine Bend Bluffs Scientific and Natural Area (SNA), 111th St E, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077, USA
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Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer and proud father of two adult children. Rhubarb is Trent's favorite kind of pie.
