Gold Strike Casinoahotel dates2018 07 062

Other estimates have placed the original crater diameter closer to 300 km (190 mi). The original impact structure is estimated to have had a diameter of at least 170 km (110 mi), with the impact affecting the structure of the surrounding host rock in a circular region around 300 km (190 mi) in diameter.

As of 2022, the bolide was estimated at between 20 and 25 kilometres (12 and 16 mi) in diameter and to have impacted with a vertical velocity of 15–25 kilometres per second (34,000–56,000 mph).

The asteroid that hit Vredefort is estimated to have been one of the largest ever to strike Earth since the Hadean Eon some four billion years ago, originally thought to have been approximately 10–15 km (6.2–9.3 mi) in diameter. The view from the top of Aasvoëlkop in the heart of the Vredefort impact structure with the Vaal River and Venterskroon on its right in the background The interrupted line circle, 300 km (190 mi) in diameter, marks the extent of the original crater. In 2005, the Vredefort Dome was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its geologic interest.įormation and structure Map of South Africa showing the location of the Vredefort Dome, the remains of a 2.023-billion-year-old impact structure. It is the second-oldest known impact structure on Earth, after Yarrabubba. The impact structure was formed during the Paleoproterozoic Era, 2.023 billion (± 4 million) years ago. The structure's central uplift is known as the Vredefort Dome. It is named after the town of Vredefort, which is near its centre. The remaining structure, comprising the deformed underlying bedrock, is located in present-day Free State province of South Africa. The crater, which has since been eroded away, has been estimated at 170 kilometres (110 mi) to 300 km (190 mi) across when it was formed. The Vredefort impact structure is one of the largest verified impact structures on Earth.

The stromatolite/basal fault plane site.

Gold Strike Casinoahotel dates2018 07 062