Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Ancient Asteroid Impact Discovered Beneath North Sea

9/30/2025

27 2

Summary

Story summary

A 160-meter-wide asteroid struck the North Sea about 50 million years ago, forming the Silverpit Crater.
The crater lies roughly 130 kilometers off Britain's southeastern coast and sits 700 meters beneath the seabed.
Advanced seismic imaging found shocked quartz and feldspar crystals, supporting impact hypothesis.
Gareth Collins, co-author, emphasizes the findings; Nature Communications published the study.

1 of 1

Story summary

A 160-meter-wide asteroid struck the North Sea about 50 million years ago, forming the Silverpit Crater.
The crater lies roughly 130 kilometers off Britain's southeastern coast and sits 700 meters beneath the seabed.
Advanced seismic imaging found shocked quartz and feldspar crystals, supporting impact hypothesis.
Gareth Collins, co-author, emphasizes the findings; Nature Communications published the study.