Victoria Island Impact Structure

USA / California / Discovery Bay /
 region, astrobleme, invisible
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The 5.5km-wide bowl is buried under shale sediments west of Stockton, in San Joaquin County, and is thought to be between 37 and 49 million years.

Researchers are continuing to analyse cuttings from oil exploration wells drilled in the structure.

Details of the discovery were presented at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston.

Data from a 3D seismic survey of an ancient sea bed clearly shows a circular structure buried 1,490-1,600m (4,890-5,250ft) below sea level.

The Victoria Island structure, as it has been named, has a concentric rim surrounding a "central uplift" - a peak at the centre - which are both characteristic of impact craters.

Co-investigator Professor Jared Morrow, from San Diego State University, said the context of the crater in relation to surrounding rock layers suggested it dated from the middle Eocene Epoch.

Addidional Information
en.wikinews.org/wiki/Oil_exploration_in_California%2C_U...

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6458841.stm
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This is an approximate location of the area as described
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   37°53'19"N   121°32'1"W

Comments

  • A really great place tag! Now if you could only get some pictures. <grin>
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This article was last modified 13 years ago