| Strangways crater | |
|---|---|
 Landsat image of Strangways crater | |
| Impact crater/structure | |
| Confidence | Confirmed |
| Diameter | 24–40 km (15–25 mi) |
| Age | 646 ± 42 Ma Neoproterozoic |
| Exposed | Yes |
| Drilled | No |
| Bolide type | Achondrite |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 15°12′S133°35′E / 15.200°S 133.583°E /-15.200; 133.583 |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Northern Territory |
  Location of the crater in the Northern Territory | |
Strangways is a largeimpact structure, the eroded remnant of a formerimpact crater, located in theNorthern Territory ofAustralia about 65 kilometres (40 mi) east-south-east of the town ofMataranka.[1][2] It was named after the nearbyStrangways River. The location is remote and difficult to access. Its age has been determined as approximately 646Ma.
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 includingshatter cones andshocked quartz.[3] The circular topographic feature is about 16 km (9.9 mi) in diameter and lies withinMesoproterozoicsedimentary rocks of theMcArthur 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 24–40 km (15–25 mi);[4] the Earth Impact Database[1] prefers a diameter of 25 km (16 mi). The age of the impact event has been determined at 646 ± 42Ma (Neoproterozoic) based onradiometric dating of impact melt rocks.[5]
In 1996, the crater's site was listed on the now-defunctRegister of the National Estate.[2]
