Vredefort impact structure | |
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Vredefort Dome | |
![]() Vredefort Dome (centre), with the Vaal river running across it; seen from space with the Operational Land Imager on Landsat 8, 27 June 2018 | |
Impact crater/structure | |
Confidence | Confirmed |
Diameter | 170–300 km (110–190 mi) (estimated former crater diameter) |
Age | Orosirian, Paleoproterozoic | ± 4 Ma
Exposed | Yes |
Drilled | Yes |
Location | |
Coordinates | 27°0′0″S 27°30′0″E / 27.00000°S 27.50000°E |
Country | South Africa |
Province | Free State |
Official name | Vredefort Dome |
Includes |
|
Criteria | Natural: (viii) |
Reference | 1162 |
Inscription | 2005 (29th Session) |
Area | 30,000 ha (120 sq mi) |
The Vredefort impact structure is the largest verified impact structure on Earth.[1] The crater, which has since been eroded away, has been estimated at 170–300 kilometres (110–190 mi) across when it was formed.[2][3] The remaining structure, comprising the deformed underlying bedrock, is located in present-day Free State province of South Africa. It is named after the town of Vredefort, which is near its centre. The structure's central uplift is known as the Vredefort Dome. The impact structure was formed during the Paleoproterozoic Era, 2.023 billion (± 4 million) years ago. It is the second-oldest known impact structure on Earth, after Yarrabubba.
In 2005, the Vredefort Dome was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for its geologic interest.
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