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The expedition from Russia’s Kosmopoisk institute discovered a meteorite impact site that could be the largest for 95 years. The meteorite fell in the early hours of September 25, 2002, and caused strong Earth tremors in the region, many residents believed it to be an earthquake. Sporadic flashes of light were also witnessed over the impact area.
The scientists had been looking for the site for several months and were hindered by the extreme Siberian winter. The expedition eventually found a 100 square kilometre area covered by flattened burnt trees and meteorite fragments. The fragments were a result of the meteorite exploding 29 kilometres above the Earth’s surface, showering the ground beneath with shrapnel.
The discovery of this impact site is likely to initiate more scientific expeditions and investigations to west Siberia The result are likely to help gain a greater understanding of this event and associated planetary impact processes.
More info: Times Online
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