Top 5 Largest Known Meteors

This meteor impact occurred approximately 2 billion years ago in what is now South Africa. The crater was formed from the impact of a massive object believed to be about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) in diameter and estimated to have released energy equivalent to around 100 trillion tons of TNT explosives. It's one of the largest known impact craters on Earth, stretching approximately 300 kilometers (186 miles) long and 65 kilometers (40 miles) wide. The Vredefort Crater is thought to be one of the oldest known impact structures on our planet, with its age estimated to pre-date the formation of the oldest fossils found in South Africa. Its existence has helped scientists understand the history of the Earth's geology and the potential for large asteroids to strike the planet in the distant past. The crater's size is often compared to that of Texas or China.

This massive impact structure was formed around 36 million years ago in Siberia, Russia. It's estimated to be approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) in diameter and covers an area roughly the size of Rhode Island. The crater is believed to have been caused by a large asteroid or comet that struck the Earth at a speed of about 20 kilometers per second. Popigai Crater contains significant amounts of iridium, which is a rare element often found in meteorites. Its formation played a crucial role in shaping the geological features of the region and providing insights into the Earth's history.

The Chelyabinsk asteroid exploded over Russia on February 15, 2013. It released an estimated 500 kilotons of TNT, equivalent to roughly 30 times the power of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. The meteor entered Earth's atmosphere at a speed of approximately 19 kilometers per second and traveled around 20 kilometers (12 miles) before exploding over the city of Chelyabinsk. The shockwave from the impact shattered windows across much of Russia, causing an estimated 7,000 injuries and damage to buildings. It's one of the largest observed meteorite impacts in recent history.

This massive crater was formed about 590 million years ago in South Australia. It's estimated to be approximately 88 kilometers (55 miles) in diameter and is considered one of the oldest impact craters on Earth. The crater is believed to have been caused by a large asteroid or comet that struck the Earth with immense force, creating the massive depression and ejecting vast amounts of rock into space. Acraman Crater has provided scientists with valuable insights into the geological history of Australia and the potential for ancient meteorite impacts.

This meteor exploded over northeast Russia on February 12, 1947. It's estimated to have weighed around 70 metric tons (69 tons) and was believed to be a piece of the asteroid 21 Borisov. The impact caused significant damage in the surrounding area and released energy equivalent to around 10 kilotons of TNT. Scientists analyzed samples from the meteorite, which revealed its composition and origin. The Sikhote-Alin Meteor is one of the most well-documented large meteorites to have fallen on Earth, providing valuable information about asteroids and comets.