ABOUT THE AMES CRATER

The Ames Astrobleme is one of the most unique geological features in the world because of its economic significance.

The meteorite impact occurred over 450 million years ago.  This event was so catastrophic that it created a crater thousands of feet deep and 8 miles in diameter.  The crater cannot be seen on the surface of the earth today because it was subsequently buried by 9,000 feet of sediment.

The crater remained unrecognized until 1991 when a prolific oil field was discovered.

The Ames Astrobleme is one of the most thoroughly studied impact craters on earth.  Studies by astrogeologists reveal that if an impact occurs in a petroleum basin there is a 50% chance that the crater will contain commercial hydrocarbons.  These craters provide an excellent structure for trapping oil and gas.

Additionally, the significance of meteor impacts is not limited to just oil and gas.  The world's largest supply of industrial diamonds and the largest nickel deposits are also found in craters. 

As the search for minerals and hydrocarbons continues to probe into new and deeper regions to meet the needs of growing civilization, it becomes essential to recognize the forces from outside the earth that have sculpted our planet.