[meteorite-list] NWA 12-18-1950 Chudd Crater Discovered

[MARK BOSTICK]

Paper: Reno Gazette
City: Reno, Nevada
Date: Monday, December 18, 1950
Page: 4

Meteorite Crater? Stories of Skies
By J. HUGH PRUETT
Astronomer, Extension Division,
Oregon Migher Education System

     Huge depressions surrounded by high rims of broken rock and situated on 
otherwise level plains have been found In several places on the earth. In 
recent times it seems certain that these have been blasted out by the 
descent of stony or metallic missiles from the great inter-planetary spaces.
     The best known of about a dozen such holes is the famous Barringer 
Meteorite crater in Arizona, an almost circular depression approximately 
4000 feet across. The top of the rim varies from 120 to 160 feet above the 
surrounding plain and the inside floor is about 600 feet below the rim. 
Terrific upheaval of the original strata occurred at the time of impact for 
huge boulders, some as large as an ordinary house, make up a considerable 
part of the rim. In the rim and scattered for miles around on the plain, 
tons of metallic meteorites have been found.
     Now we learn of another crater, recently discovered in the 
north-western part of Quebec sound of Baffin Island, which dwarfs 
considerably the Arizona depression. It is about 2 ½ miles across from rim 
to rim, and the top of the rim stands 550 feet above the plain. Unlike the 
Arizona crater, this latest depression contains a lake, the surface of which 
is somewhat higher than the surfaces of the numerous small lakes in the 
surrounding plain. Last June when it was first examined by a scientific 
expedition, the water surface in places was covered by ice three feet thick.
     It is said that this crater, which is located in an unfrequented part 
of the world, was first noted on aerial photographs by a prospector Fred W. 
Chubb. This was reported to the Globe-Telegram of Toronto. This paper was 
instrumental in organizing a scientific expedition, which included Dr. V. 
Ben Meen of the Royal Ontario museum.
     Although no meteorites have been found among the boulders of rim or on 
the surrounding plain during the short preliminary investigation, Dr. Meen 
feels quite certain the formation is due to the action of a huge meteorite 
and is not volcanic in nature. He believes the tearing from the plain of 
likely ten billions of tons of granite which forms the rim, took place 
sometime between 1000 and 3000 B.C.  Further study is planned next summer 
when magnetic methods will be used to try to locate meteoritical material 
and to determine if a large mass is likely beneath the lake. The scientists 
are sure no glacial action has taken place since the crater was formed.
     The explorers hoped they were the first campers ever in that locality, 
but the finding of a tin can blasted their hopes. One member in anger threw 
it away. Later when they wanted to see if it contained a message, they could 
not find it.
     Excellent pictures of the crater and the exploring party are carried in 
the October number of Griffith Observer published in Los Angeles. Time for 
Aug. 14 and other publications discussed the subject.

(end)

Clear Skies,
Mark Bostick
Wichita, Kansas
http://www.meteoritearticles.com
http://www.kansasmeteoritesociety.com
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