Gebel Kamil Meteorite and Kamil Impact Crater
June 08, 2021
Photographer: Mila Zinkova
Summary Author: Mila Zinkova
Shown above, at top, is a piece of the Gebal Kamil iron meteorite found at the Kamil Impact Crater in Egypt. According to geologists this approximately 2 in (5 cm) specimen formed less than 5,000 years ago. The 147-ft-wide, 52-ft-deep (45-m-wide, 16-m-deep) crater was actually first identified during a Google Earth survey in 2008 (bottom image). Note the interesting ray structure (splatter pattern of impact ejecta) surrounding the blast site that was created as the meteorite exploded. Egypt's arid climate has allowed thousands of small iron meteorites to survive in a relatively good condition. Top photo taken on April 19, 2021.