Current Phoenix Weather:
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
A recent WalletHub study has ranked Arizona as one of the least charitable states in the U.S., placing it 49th in overall charitable behavior. The study, which examined 17 factors, including volunteer rates, donations, and the number of food banks per capita, revealed Arizona’s low charitable standing. While the state ranked poorly, neighboring states like Utah and Colorado performed much better, securing spots in the top 10. Although Arizona lags behind, the U.S. as a whole remains one of the most charitable nations globally, with American donors contributing nearly $560 billion to charity in 2023, according to the World Giving
A recent study from WalletHub named this small city the best small city in Arizona, and it may not be one you might expect. While many of the Grand Canyon State’s charming small cities—such as Flagstaff, Sedona, and Jerome are beloved for their picturesque views and inviting downtown areas, this study focused on key factors like affordability, economic health, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Despite Arizona’s small cities not making it to the top 10 in the U.S., Queen Creek emerged as the best small city in Arizona, according to the WalletHub study. Why Queen Creek is
Phoenix homeowners now have the chance to transform their yards and contribute to water conservation efforts through the Residential Grass Removal Program. With this initiative, Phoenix pays eligible homeowners $2 for every square foot of grass they remove, helping them switch to more sustainable desert landscaping. advertisement Why Desert Landscaping? In the arid climate of Phoenix, water conservation is crucial. Lawns, which require significant amounts of water, are a major contributor to household water usage. By replacing grass with desert-friendly, drought-resistant plants, homeowners can reduce water consumption by up to 85% compared to maintaining a grass lawn. Not only does
Research indicates that the likelihood of being diagnosed with dementia can be influenced by where individuals live. Insights from Researchers Dr. Julie Bynum, the lead researcher from the University of Michigan, stated that “the percentage of individuals over 65 diagnosed in Arizona is low compared to the national average.” She has dedicated years to examining the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia across the United States. Bynum further noted that “regardless of demographic factors such as race or age, where one lives plays a crucial role in their likelihood of receiving a diagnosis.” advertisement Contrasts in Diagnosis
advertisement
Cookie | Duration | Description |
---|---|---|
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional | 11 months | The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. |
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance | 11 months | This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". |
viewed_cookie_policy | 11 months | The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data. |