Found: Crater From Asteroid Impact That Covered 10% of Earth's Surface in Debris

The crater sits beneath a plain of hardened lava formed after the meteorite's impact.

By Leslie Nemo
Jan 3, 2020 9:25 PMJan 3, 2020 10:11 PM
Asteroid Impact
An asteroid hit Earth 790,000 years ago, spreading debris from Asia to Antarctica. (Credit: solarseven/Shutterstock)

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

A flash of light would have come first, followed by a shockwave and massive earthquake. Only later would the hailstorm of black, glassy debris begun to fall, a rocky rain that would touch 10 percent of the planet's surface.

That's the scene that followed a massive asteroid impact 790,000 years ago. The remains it scattered, called tektites, have been found from Asia to Antarctica. For decades, scientists have searched for the elusive resting place of the impactor that coated the Earth with debris. Now, they may have finally found it.

0 free articles left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

0 free articlesSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

Stay Curious

Sign up for our weekly newsletter and unlock one more article for free.

 

View our Privacy Policy


Want more?
Keep reading for as low as $1.99!


Log In or Register

Already a subscriber?
Find my Subscription

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group