Australia meteorite crater discovered via Google Earth

Geologist Arthur Hickman discovered a 260-meter-wide meteorite crater in Australia's Pilbara region using Google Earth. The structure, now known as the Hickman crater, is located approximately 36 kilometers north of Newman in the Ophthalmia Range.

The crater features an elevated rim rising about 30 meters above a relatively flat floor. While the circular shape initially suggested an impact site, scientific confirmation required extensive field research and drilling. In 2012, the Geological Survey of Western Australia partnered with mining company Atlas Iron to conduct a 65-meter deep vertical drill at the center of the structure.

Drilling revealed approximately 48 meters of post-impact sediment, followed by a seven-meter layer of pulverized and partially melted rock. This layer provided the decisive chemical evidence of a meteorite impact. The discovery highlights how satellite imagery can significantly transform geological research by allowing experts to identify features in vast, remote terrains that would otherwise be difficult to survey.