Scientists Uncover Enormous Subterranean Structure Beneath Australia

Hidden History: Massive Asteroid Crater Believed to Be Buried Under Australian Landmass

In a groundbreaking revelation, geologist Andrew Glikson has unveiled a profound discovery that could reshape our understanding of Earth's history. As reported in a recent article for The Conversation, Glikson's pioneering research proposes the existence of an immense asteroid crater concealed beneath the Australian continent. The findings suggest that this hidden impact structure could potentially be the largest of its kind globally, dwarfing even the well-known Vredefort Crater in South Africa and the catastrophic Chicxulub crater linked to the dinosaur extinction event.

Dubbed the "Deniliquin structure," this concealed colossal crater has captivated the scientific community. Glikson's meticulous study, featured in the Tectonophysics journal, estimates its staggering diameter to exceed 320 miles. This revelation has the potential to rewrite the narrative of Earth's tumultuous past, offering insights into the planet's tumultuous history of asteroid impacts.

While the Deniliquin structure's existence was initially proposed by Tony Yeates in the late 1990s based on magnetic patterns, it was only in 2020 that further analysis provided additional credence to its existence. The immense crater, situated beneath the southern New South Wales region, has thus far eluded definitive proof of its origin.

But how does such a monumental geological feature remain concealed beneath our feet? Glikson elucidates the process, likening it to a drop of water creating an upward splash when it collides with a pool. An asteroid impact triggers the formation of a crater with an elevated core, which over millions of years can erode and become less conspicuous. Burial by sediment or even subduction resulting from tectonic plate collisions could further contribute to the masking of such structures.

Compelling evidence supports the hypothesis that the Deniliquin structure is indeed an asteroid crater. Symmetrical crustal ripples, indicative of the extreme temperatures generated by an impact event, along with radial faults characteristic of other impact structures, bolster the argument.

Glikson's research, while groundbreaking, also underscores the limitations of current knowledge. Surface-level evidence alone is insufficient, and Glikson emphasizes the necessity of deep drilling to conclusively establish the crater's origin and nature. Nonetheless, the implications of this discovery are profound. Glikson's research places the asteroid impact responsible for the Deniliquin structure around 445 million years ago, coinciding with the Late Ordovician mass extinction event. This event, which wiped out a staggering 85 percent of Earth's life forms, dwarfs even the famed dinosaur extinction event associated with the Chicxulub impact.

The Deniliquin structure unveils a hidden chapter in Earth's history, hinting at the catastrophic forces that have shaped our planet over eons. As scientists eagerly anticipate further exploration and study, the magnitude of this discovery prompts contemplation of the colossal space rock that left an indelible mark beneath the Australian landmass.