Story perspectives

Massive Ancient Crater Discovered in Guangdong, China

11/19/2025

Summary

Story summary

Jinlin crater in Guangdong Province, China, formed about 11,700 years ago and measures 820–900 meters in diameter, making it the largest known Holocene impact site.
It remains well-preserved within granite layers despite heavy rainfall and erosion.
Quartz fragments with deformation features indicate a meteorite impact, confirming its extraterrestrial origin.
The discovery challenges assumptions about impact frequency and suggests many more Holocene craters may exist in less-studied regions.

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Story summary

Jinlin crater in Guangdong Province, China, formed about 11,700 years ago and measures 820–900 meters in diameter, making it the largest known Holocene impact site.
It remains well-preserved within granite layers despite heavy rainfall and erosion.
Quartz fragments with deformation features indicate a meteorite impact, confirming its extraterrestrial origin.
The discovery challenges assumptions about impact frequency and suggests many more Holocene craters may exist in less-studied regions.