Strangways crater
{{Short description|Impact crater of Northern Territory}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox terrestrial impact site
| name = Strangways crater
| other_name =
| photo = Strangways crater.jpg
| photo_size =
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Landsat image of Strangways crater
| map = Northern Territory
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of the crater in the Northern Territory
| map_size =
| location =
| label =
| label_position =
| coordinates = {{coord|15|12|S|133|35|E|region:AU-NT_type:landmark_scale:150000|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref =
| confidence = Confirmed
| diameter = {{convert|24|-|40|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| rise =
| imp_size =
| age = 646 ± 42 Ma
Neoproterozoic
| exposed = Yes
| drilled = No
| bolide = Achondrite
| translation =
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| topo =
| access =
| country = Australia
| state = Northern Territory
| province =
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}}
File:Strangways crater oblique.jpg image draped over digital elevation model (x10 vertical exaggeration), Strangways crater; screen capture from NASA World Wind]]
Strangways is a large impact structure, the eroded remnant of a former impact crater, located in the Northern Territory of Australia about {{convert|65|km}} east-south-east of the town of Mataranka.{{cite Earth Impact DB |name=Strangways |access-date=2017-10-09}} It was named after the nearby Strangways River. The location is remote and difficult to access. Its age has been determined as approximately 646 Ma.
Description
The circular topographic feature that marks the site was originally thought to be volcanic, with an impact origin first proposed in 1971 after the discovery of evidence diagnostic of impact including shatter cones and shocked quartz.{{cite journal |vauthors=Guppy DJ, Brett R, Milton DJ | title=Liverpool and Strangways craters, Northern Territory; two structures of probable impact origin | journal=Journal of Geophysical Research | volume=76 | issue= 23| year=1971 | pages=5387–93 | doi=10.1029/JB076i023p05387 | bibcode=1971JGR....76.5387G}}
The circular topographic feature is about {{convert|16|km|mi|abbr=on}} in diameter and lies within Mesoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the McArthur Basin. However, this is only a relic of the original crater after considerable erosion. Estimates of the original rim diameter vary between different researchers in the range {{convert|24|-|40|km|mi|abbr=on}};{{cite journal | author=Haines PW | title=Impact cratering and distal ejecta: the Australian record | journal=Australian Journal of Earth Sciences | volume=52 | issue= 4–5| year=2005 | pages=481–507 | doi=10.1080/08120090500170351|bibcode = 2005AuJES..52..481H | s2cid=128705406 }} [https://web.archive.org/web/20210728081831/http://journalsonline.tandf.co.uk/link.asp?id=n0396841487037g4 Abstract]
the Earth Impact Database prefers a diameter of {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on}}. The age of the impact event has been determined at 646 ± 42 Ma (Neoproterozoic) based on radiometric dating of impact melt rocks.{{cite journal |vauthors=Spray JG, Kelley SP, Dence MR | title=The Strangways impact structure, Northern Territory, Australia: geological setting and laser probe 40Ar/39Ar geochronology | journal=Earth and Planetary Science Letters | volume=172 | issue= 3–4| year=1999 | pages=199–211 | doi=10.1016/S0012-821X(99)00206-X | bibcode=1999E&PSL.172..199S}} [https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(99)00206-X Abstract]
In 1996, the crater's site was listed on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate.{{cite AHD|18094|Strangways Crater, Mataranka,(sic) NT, Australia - listing on the now-defunct Register of the National Estate |date=28 May 1996|access-date=7 April 2020}}
See also
{{Portal|Geology|Australia}}