le Clot

Scientists have announced the discovery of an ancient crater within the Domaine du Meteore vineyard in France. The crater, named “le Clot,” is 220 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep. This is a significant discovery, as finding a small crater like this is a rare occurrence. Currently, only three structures have been recorded in Western and Central Europe – one in France and two in Germany.

Discovery of le Clot

The discovery of le Clot was made by a team of researchers from the University of Paris-Saclay, the University of Lorraine, and the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS). The team used a combination of field observations, geophysical surveys, and microscopic analysis to confirm the presence of the crater.

The researchers found the presence of iron oxide spherules, shock microdiamonds, and a magnetic low within the crater. Iron oxide spherules are small, spherical grains that form when molten rock is ejected into the air during an impact event. Shock microdiamonds are tiny diamonds that form under extreme pressure, such as during an impact event. A magnetic low is a region where the Earth’s magnetic field is slightly weaker than in the surrounding regions, which occurs when the impact melts or breaks the rock.

The team estimated that the impact that created le Clot occurred between 3 million and 100 million years ago. They were unable to determine the exact age of the impact due to the lack of volcanic deposits or other materials that could be used for radiometric dating.

Implications of the discovery

The discovery of le Clot has significant implications for our understanding of the history of Earth and the impact events that have shaped our planet. The study of impact craters can provide valuable insights into the geology and history of a region, as well as the impact events themselves.

In addition to its scientific significance, le Clot has the potential to become a new tourist attraction. The Domaine du Meteore vineyard already attracts visitors due to its unique landscape, which is the result of the impact that created le Clot. The discovery of the crater could further enhance the vineyard’s appeal and attract more visitors to the region.