Top 10 Largest Meteor Impact Sites

Located in South Africa, Vredefort Crater is believed to be the oldest and largest impact crater on Earth, dated back to around 2.023 billion years ago. It covers an area of approximately 300 square kilometers (116 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 300-400 kilometers (186-249 miles) at its peak. Vredefort Crater is also known as the "Old Man's Grave" due to its massive size and impact energy, which is thought to be one of the most significant in Earth's history. The crater was named after the nearby town of Vredefort, which was established by Dutch settlers. Compared to other impact craters, Vredefort Crater stands out for its immense size and age.

Located on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, Chicxulub Crater is one of the largest impact craters on Earth, dating back to around 66 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 180 square kilometers (69 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 150-190 kilometers (93-118 miles) at its peak. Chicxulub Crater is widely believed to be the site where the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs impacted Earth. The crater was discovered in 1978 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. In comparison to other impact craters, Chicxulub's size and location on land make it a unique feature.

Located in Siberia, Russia, Popigai Impact Crater is one of the largest known impact craters on Earth, dated back to around 36 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometers (39 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 50-60 kilometers (31-37 miles) at its peak. Popigai Impact Crater is notable for the presence of iridium-rich sediments, which suggest that it may have been caused by an asteroid impact. The crater was discovered in 1972 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Popigai's location on land makes it accessible for research.

Located in Australia, Acraman Crater is a large impact crater dated back to around 590 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 60 square kilometers (23 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 80-100 kilometers (50-62 miles) at its peak. Acraman Crater is one of the oldest known impact craters on Earth and is thought to have been formed by a massive asteroid or comet impact. The crater was discovered in 1976 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Acraman's age makes it a significant feature in Earth's geological history.

Located in Ontario, Canada, Sudbury Basin is a large impact structure dated back to around 1.85 billion years ago. It covers an area of approximately 260 square kilometers (100 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 90-120 kilometers (56-75 miles) at its peak. Sudbury Basin is one of the largest known impact structures on Earth and is thought to have been formed by a massive asteroid or comet impact that created a series of concentric rings. The basin was discovered in 1880 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Sudbury's size and location make it a unique feature.

Located off the coast of Maryland, USA, Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater is one of the largest known impact structures on Earth, dated back to around 35 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 5 square kilometers (1.9 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 70-90 kilometers (43-56 miles) at its peak. Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater is thought to have been formed by the impact of a massive asteroid or comet that created a series of ring structures and a central depression. The crater was discovered in 1914 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Chesapeake Bay's size and location on land make it accessible for research.

Located in Quebec, Canada, Manicouagan Crater is a large impact structure dated back to around 213 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 50 square kilometers (19 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 100-120 kilometers (62-75 miles) at its peak. Manicouagan Crater is one of the oldest known impact structures on Earth and is thought to have been formed by a massive asteroid or comet impact that created a series of concentric rings. The crater was discovered in 1971 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Manicouagan's size and location make it a unique feature.

Located in Siberia, Russia, Popigai Ring Impact Structure is one of the largest known impact structures on Earth, dated back to around 36 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometers (39 sq mi). The ring structure is estimated to have had a diameter of about 50-60 kilometers (31-37 miles) at its peak. Popigai Ring Impact Structure is notable for the presence of iridium-rich sediments, which suggest that it may have been caused by an asteroid impact. The ring structure was discovered in 1972 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Popigai's location on land makes it accessible for research.

Located in Ontario, Canada, Sudbury Niobay Impact Structure is a large impact structure dated back to around 1.85 billion years ago. It covers an area of approximately 260 square kilometers (100 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 90-120 kilometers (56-75 miles) at its peak. Sudbury Niobay Impact Structure is one of the largest known impact structures on Earth and is thought to have been formed by a massive asteroid or comet impact that created a series of concentric rings. The structure was discovered in 1880 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Sudbury's size and location make it a unique feature.

Located in Kansas, USA, Manson Impact Crater is one of the largest known impact structures on Earth, dated back to around 65 million years ago. It covers an area of approximately 100 square kilometers (39 sq mi). The crater is estimated to have had a diameter of about 60-80 kilometers (37-50 miles) at its peak. Manson Impact Crater is thought to have been formed by the impact of a massive asteroid or comet that created a series of ring structures and a central depression. The crater was discovered in 1893 and has since been the subject of extensive scientific study. Compared to other impact craters, Manson's size and location on land make it accessible for research.