 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Belt Meteor Crater - Actually A Sinkhole

   December 14, 2021

    EPODcrater

   Photographer:  Rod Benson

   Summary Author:  Rod Benson

   This photo features the  Belt Meteor Crater, which is located on
   private land in central Montana. Contrary to its name, this landform
   was NOT made by a  meteorite slamming into the prairie. Instead,
   this landform is a  sinkhole that was caused by the  dissolution
   of  limestone beneath the surface. The rim of the crater is made of
    sandstone, but a thick (up to 1,700 feet / 520 m) formation called
   the  Madison limestone underlies the area. As water soaks down
   through soils above, it becomes slightly  acidic. While this water
   works its way down through cracks, it dissolves away the limestone and
   forms  caves. The sinkhole is 100 feet (30 m) across and 40 feet (12
   m) deep, so a fairly large cave must have formed in the limestone here
   not far beneath the surface. Eventually the layers of sandstone above
   the cave collapsed onto the cavern floor to form the sinkhole.

   The Belt Meteor Crater once served as a  buffalo jump, or "pishkun",
   for Native Americans as evidenced by  bison bones and arrowheads on
   the floor of the hole. "Pishkun" is a word from the  Blackfeet
   meaning "deep blood kettle." Scientists visited the sinkhole to collect
   bison bones that can be  carbon-dated to determine when Native
   Americans used it. They also found an arrowhead(s) made of
    obsidian. Experts can determine where the obsidian came from by
   comparing its mineral composition with obsidian outcrops in the region.
   This can also help provide insights about Native American trade routes.
     * Belt, Montana Coordinates: 47.3872, -110.9277

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Geology Links

     *  Earthquakes
     *  Geologic Time
     *  Geomagnetism
     *  General Dictionary of Geology
     *  Mineral and Locality Database
     *  Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
     *  This Dynamic Earth
     *  USGS
     *  USGS Ask a Geologist
     *  USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
     *  USGS Volcano Hazards Program

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