One of the places on our bucket list was the Barringer Meteor Crater.
It is definitely in the middle of nowhere as this photo, taken from the front steps to the entrance, indicates.
Despite the geological and astrological significance of this area, it is not federally owned. It is, however, designated as a Federal Landmark. The entrance fee is $15/person, but we had discount coupons from our RV park, which is six miles form the crater. There is a movie about the history and science of the crater, a museum, several walk ways with free telescopes focused on features, and a guided tour.
Borrowed from http://www.edupic.com, here is an aerial view of the crater. The square appearance is believed to be the result of pre-existing cracks in the strata. It lies at 5740 feet in elevation, and is 3900 feet wide and 570 feet deep. It was approximately 200 feet deeper, but has been filled in by erosion. It is the best preserved crater on earth.
In 1903, Daniel Barringer, a mining engineer, suggested, contrary to the popular theory that it was a volcanic caldera, that it was produced by the impact of a meteorite. Skeptics continued to reject Barringer's hypothesis until it was confirmed by Eugene Shoemaker, husband of Carolyn Shoemaker of Shoemaker-Levy fame.
Most of the meteorite evaporated upon impact, but the Holsinger meteorite, at 1409 lbs., is the largest fragment of the meteorite. There are several other known fragments. Some are as far away as Christchurch, New Zealand and Paris.
Barringer filed for and was granted a mining grant. This is a boiler and one of the shafts that was sunk in search of the remainder of the meteorite. The Barringer family still controls the area. Despite the early mning efforts, they have been good stewards.
This six foot tall astronaut and American flag commemorate the use of the crater as a training site for Apollo astronauts.
Looking like a tree growing from the back of a stone alligator, this juniper captured our attention as we drove along the access road to the crater.
Instead, it is a more subtle demonstration of the power of nature.
These rocks provided excellent shelter for small animals. Note that something has dug out and pushed soil along the edged of this rock.
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