Meteorite Impact Field, Elko County , Nevada

Meteorite Impact Field

The area between Lone Mountain Station and Dinner Station (names come from when stagecoaches and freight wagons traveled between Elko and Tuscarora, Nevada) contains what is widely considered to be a meteorite impact field (many small and intermediate sized craters). Further information on the site can be obtained from the Elko Bureau of Land Management Office.

Elko County, Nevada

(click on photos to enlarge)

General area of meteorite impact field, between

Lone Mountain Station and Dinner Station, Elko County, Nevada.

Larger impact crater in hillside.

Meteorite crater, looking from

hilltop toward road

Tiny wildflowers growing at crater.

Links

USGS Aerial Photo of two craters

(Hillside Crater lower left, other crater upper right)

(Note the larger oval feature around white circular crater on upper right)

USGS Aerial Photo of two craters

Larger Scale

(Hillside Crater lower left other crater upper right)

USGS Topographic map of two craters

(Hillside Crater: elevation 6060, between 6024 & 6096 elevation marks)

(Other Crater: elevation 5960, above 5920 contour label )

"The Elko Meteorite Crater Field resulted from a meteor shower that fell into the Elko District over 6000 years ago and consists of two groups of rimmed craters. In total, there are approximately 206 craters scattered in a swath 1.8 miles wide and 12.4 miles long. The circular and oval shaped craters range in size from 16 to 820 feet in diameter and up to 12 feet deep."

Click here for: Topographic Map showing location of known craters.

Life

A storm of meteorites fell here,

relatively speaking - not so long ago.

There occurred a pounding collision -

an unexpected, devastating, crushing blow.

The signs have remained to this day.

But, nature is healing, though ever so slow.

For, in the cracks of the crater's soil,

tiny, delicate wildflowers now grow.

For me, it's been kinda the same.

Tremendous forces have impacted my life.

The scars may forever be seen.

But, in truth, time has softened the strife.

And although, I shall never forget,

and may always see signs of the blow.

Nature has begun its process of healing.

Once again, I can see tiny flowers grow.

- Dan Turner, July 5, 2001

Elko, Nevada

The "Elko Crater Field" Revisited - A Reconnaissance Report

Here is a new link that puts another perspective on this "crater" field. Perhaps they were not caused by a meteor shower. Oh well ... "That's life".

New

Non-Impact Origin of Elko Crater Field

More Northeastern Nevada Places

Additional Information: Northeastern Nevada Museum

If you know or would like to add anything about this page, please let me know.

References

The map and discussion were given to me by a friend. He said they though it was originally provided for a field trip for the geology department of Great Basin College. I am not sure but will try to track down the reference as this page progresses.

Hyslop, Larry, 1999, Hiker's Guide, Trails in the Elko Area, C & L Publishing, Elko, Nevada. Available from: Northeastern Nevada Museum