Huge meteor left crater in the Highlands
EVIDENCE of the biggest meteorite ever to hit the British Isles has been uncovered in Scotland, it was revealed today.
Scientists think the meteorite struck about 1.2 billion years ago near Ullapool in the north west Highlands. They said they found "spectacular" evidence of the impact, which scattered material for about 30 miles.
Geologist Ken Amor, of Oxford University, said: "If there had been human observers in Scotland 1.2 billion years ago they would have seen quite a show."
It had previously been thought that the unusual rock formations in the area had been formed by volcanic activity. But the volcanic origins of the rock have always been questioned because there are no volcanic sediments nearby.
The findings were made by scientists from Oxford and Aberdeen universities, and feature in the journal Geology.
Amor, co-author of the Geology paper, said: "This is the most spectacular evidence for a meteorite impact within the British Isles found to date."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
