Researchers have identified the largest known impact crater on Earth formed during the past 11,700 years. Located in Deqing County in southern China, the discovery marks a significant milestone in the study of recent space-related collisions.
The crater, stretching nearly 900 meters (about 3,000 feet) wide and plunging 90 meters deep, is believed to have formed when a small space rock hit the granite-covered hillside of a mountain. Experts say the force of the impact was immense — comparable to an explosion of 600,000 tons of TNT.
This newly confirmed structure, now known as the Jinlin impact crater, stands out not only for its size but also because it is the first of its kind found in southern China. Until now, all other confirmed craters in the country were located in the northeast.
Crater offers rare glimpse into Earth’s recent collision history
The Jinlin crater is unusually large for the Holocene period — the geological era that began at the end of the last Ice Age. Most impact craters from this time are typically less than 300 meters across. This one, however, is three times that size.
Researchers with the China Academy of Engineering Physics conducted fieldwork and lab tests, which confirmed the extraterrestrial origin of the crater. They found distinct patterns in quartz rock — microscopic damage that only happens under extreme pressure, like that caused by a high-speed asteroid impact.
Chen Ming, who led the investigation, explained that these shock features in the rock serve as solid proof that the crater was not formed by natural erosion or other geological forces. Instead, the crater’s shape and the damage to nearby rocks confirm it was created by a high-speed object from space.
Well-preserved structure despite harsh conditions
Despite the region’s heavy rain and long history of erosion, the crater remains well preserved. Researchers believe this is because it is geologically young, meaning it likely formed within the last 10,000 years. That assessment is supported by the freshness of the granite debris scattered across the site.
The crater has a slightly oval shape and follows the natural slope of the mountain. Its edges show a difference in height of about 200 meters, and the southern edge has a noticeable gap shaped like the letter “V.” This opening allows rainwater to drain from the crater, creating deep gullies along the walls — a sign of continued erosion.