| Yarrabubba impact structure | |
|---|---|
 Composite aeromagnetic anomaly map of the Yarrabubba impact structure[1] | |
| Impact crater/structure | |
| Confidence | Confirmed |
| Diameter | 30–70 km (19–43 mi) |
| Age | 2229 Ma ± 5 Ma Rhyacian,Paleoproterozoic |
| Exposed | Yes |
| Drilled | No |
| Location | |
| Location | Yilgarn craton |
| Coordinates | 27°10′56″S118°50′04″E / 27.18222°S 118.83444°E /-27.18222; 118.83444 |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Western Australia |
| Municipality | Shire of Meekatharra |
  Location of the impact structure in Western Australia | |
TheYarrabubba impact structure is the eroded remnant of animpact crater, situated in the northernYilgarn craton nearYarrabubba Station between the towns ofSandstone andMeekatharra,Mid WestWestern Australia.[2][3] With an age of 2.229 ± 0.005 billion years,[1] as of 2025 it is the second oldest-knownimpact structure on Earth.[4]
While the rim of the original crater has been completely eroded and is not readily visible on aerial or satellite images, it is centered on a feature called the Barlangi Rock. The evidence for the extent of impact comes from the presence ofshocked quartz andshatter cones in outcrops ofgranite interpreted to be near the centre of the original crater, and fromgeophysical data. The diameter of the original crater is uncertain, but has been estimated to be from 30 to 70 km (19 to 43 mi).[2] Computer simulations of a 7-kilometre-diameter (4.3 mi) diameter impactor crashing into a 2-kilometre-thick (1.2 mi) ice sheet covering granitebedrock produced a crater of final diameter compatible with the Yarrabubba crater.[1]
The impact has been dated to 2,229 ± 5 million years ago, making it one of the world's oldest confirmed impact structures.[1] This date places the impact in the earlyRhyacian, around the end of theHuronian glaciation.
The age finding was based on analysis of ancient crystals of the mineralszircon andmonazite found in the crater. Scientists useduranium–lead dating to analyze the samples and to determine the age of the impact crater.[5][6][7][8][9]
At the time of its dating in 2020, it was the oldest known impact structure on Earth.[1] In 2025, it was demoted to being the second-oldest known impact crater, aftershatter cones in theAntarctic Creek Member also in Western Australia were found to be 3.47 billion years old, over a billion years older.[4]
