advertisement
24 October 2022
Fifty thousand years ago, a massive iron-nickel meteorite, about 150 feet wide and weighing several hundred thousand tons, collided with Earth in an area outside Flagstaff, Arizona. The force of the collision was 150 times more powerful than an atomic bomb. Often called a Meteor Crater, the giant bowl-shaped cavity created by the impact of this meteor measures 550 feet deep and nearly a mile wide.
advertisement
Weighting 300,000 tons, the meteorite traveled 26,000 miles per hour (12 kilometers per second), and it exploded with the force of 2 12,000 tons of TNT or 150 times the force of Hiroshima’s atomic bomb. As a result of the impact, most of the meteorite melted and spread over the landscape in a fine mist of molten metal. Consequently, there was a blanket of shattered, pulverized, partially melted rock mixed with meteoritic iron covering the ground for a mile in every direction as millions of tons of sandstone and limestone were blasted out of the crater.
During the last ice age, the Arizona landscape was much cooler and wetter than it is today, and at the time, a forest surrounded it where giant ground sloths, mammoths, and mastodons grazed. All life unfortunate enough to be nearby would have been thrown across the plain by the force of the impact. The landscape recovered over time, and the crater formed a lake, and sediments built up to a depth of 550 feet. As the ice age ended, the climate changed and dried out. Today’s desert has helped to preserve the crater by limiting the erosion that might otherwise have obscured or erased the traces of the ancient impact.
Since many craters have been erased by erosive geological processes, very few are visible on Earth. Despite its relatively young age and the dry climate in Arizona, Meteor Crater has remained relatively unchanged since its formation. Despite its lack of erosion, the crater’s shape greatly facilitated its groundbreaking recognition as an impact crater.
advertisement
Approximately 270,000 people visit Meteor Crater every year. Meteor Crater is an essential site for education and research. Astronauts continue to train at this site, which was used to train Apollo astronauts. There are interactive exhibits and displays about asteroids, meteorites, space, the Solar System, and comets, as well as artifacts like a boilerplate Apollo command module (BP-29), a meteorite that weighs 1,406 pounds (638 kilograms), and meteorite specimens that can be touched from Meteor Crater. In addition, the Visitor Center is home to a Discovery Center & Space Museum, a movie theater, a gift shop, and observation areas with views inside the crater rim. Weather permitting, guided tours of the rim are offered daily.
advertisement
Arizona is widely known for places like the Grand Canyon and Saguaro National Forest, but one of its most stunning and underrated treasures is Aravaipa Canyon. Just southeast of Phoenix and northeast of Tucson, this wilderness area remains a well-kept secret for those seeking a fun outdoor adventure. Aravaipa Canyon offers a rare combination of serene beauty, challenging terrain, and diverse wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for backpackers, nature lovers, and adventurers alike. advertisement A Breathtaking Wilderness Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness spans an impressive 19,410 acres and is located in Graham and Pinal counties. The canyon itself stretches over 11
Arizona is home to some of the most intricate and unique cultural traditions in the United States, and among them is the Hopi people’s craftsmanship of Kachina figures. These carvings, often referred to as kachina dolls, serve as much more than mere decoration—they are educational tools, spiritual symbols, and artistic expressions. Through these figures, the Hopi pass down knowledge of their belief systems, traditions, and the spirits that influence their daily lives. advertisement What Are Hopi Kachina Figures? Hopi kachina figures are intricately carved dolls, traditionally made from cottonwood root, by members of the Hopi tribe who live primarily in
Long before Sedona became today’s popular destination, a few adventurous souls made their homes in this what we now revere as a geological wonderland. At 4,350 feet in Central Arizona’s Verde Valley, Sedona is surrounded by a dramatic landscape shaped by volcanic activity and erosion. These natural forces carved out Oak Creek Canyon and created the signature oxidized red rocks that have made the area internationally famous, and make up the Red Rock State Park. advertisement Red Rock State Park, which spans 286 acres just nine miles south of downtown Sedona, now protects this remarkable terrain. Established in 1991, the
Spirit of Arizona Tours (SOA) offers a unique experience that blends history, mystery, and culture in one journey. Locally owned and operated, SOA takes pride in sharing Phoenix’s hidden gems—those lesser-known places that often slip under the radar of mainstream tours. advertisement Founded in September 2019 by Arizona native Jarrod Riddle, SOA was born from his desire to share Phoenix’s untold stories. As well as overlooked sites with locals and visitors alike. From true crime tales and ghost stories to the art of murals and the soul of the city’s tacos, Riddle’s tours provide a fresh perspective on the city’s
