Wetumpka in Elmore County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Wetumpka Impact Crater

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 20, 2013

1. Wetumpka Impact Crater Marker

Inscription. The ridges located here are the remnants of a six-mile diameter circular feature created some 85 million years ago by an estimated 1,000-foot diameter asteroid. The area at the time of impact was a shallow sea. The ridges consist of a variety of metamorphic rocks and surround a central area comprised of large jumbled blocks of younger geologic strata. Drilling in the central area of the crater recovered fragments of rocks showing characteristic mineral alteration only associated with impact structures. The structure, although known for more than a century, was first identified as an impact crater in the 1970s.

Erected 2002 by Alabama Historical Association.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Paleontology. In addition, it is included in the Alabama Historical Association series list.

Location. 32° 32.05′ N, 86° 12.22′ W. Marker is in Wetumpka, Alabama, in Elmore County. Marker is at the intersection of U.S. 231 and East South Boundary Street, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 231. In front of the Elmore County Health Department. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6501 US Highway 231, Wetumpka AL 36092, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

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this marker. Elmore County World War I Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elmore County Korean War Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wetumpka Historical Marker (approx. 0.2 miles away); Crommelin Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Elmore County Vietnam War Memorial (approx. ¼ mile away); Wetumpka Timeline (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wetumpka's Bridges (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Wetumpka Impact Crater (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wetumpka.

More about this marker. Obverse map shows location of impact.

Regarding Wetumpka Impact Crater. The Wetumpka Impact Crater is the site of the only authenticated impact crater in the eastern United States and one of only 200 craters worldwide. Because the area would have been under sea water at the time of impact, it is said to be one of the best preserved marine impact craters in the world.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Auburn University site on the Wetumpka Impact Crater. (Submitted on December 3, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Impact Crater Area Effects image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 20, 2013

2. Impact Crater Area Effects

Area around marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, August 20, 2013

3. Area around marker

Wetumpka Impact Crater Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Photo of City of Wetumpka brochure., December 3, 2016

4. Wetumpka Impact Crater Map

A fee-based tour is offered every February.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 20, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,790 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 20, 2013, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 4. submitted on December 3, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.