Google Earth: Impact Structures Goodness

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Impact KML Downloads:

Impact Icon A few of you noticed that I’ve released some more impact structures/craters for your enjoyment in Google Earth. For those who don’t… I’ve released all 172 impact structures on earth, nicely categorised by continent or, if you want, just the top 25. Take your pick from the box on the right.

So what do you get? An overview of all the confirmed impact structures on this planet’s surface, including a description (with link to Wikipedia) and an indicator of the estimated size.

How to enjoy?

Download Google Earth and install.
Click on a ‘view’ of your choice. (box on the right)
Wait a little for GE to show the craters and then select details from the newfound impact structures folder.

Feedback is welcome and be sure to keep an eye on the Google Earth page here.

Comments

13 responses to “Google Earth: Impact Structures Goodness”

October 14, 2005

ThinkLemon » Blog Archive » Google Earth for Mac, alternatives

[…] This alternative isn’t a reality already. But it could be done. If someone, other than me, would implement a KML/KMZ parser combined with the Google Maps Api, you’d have a killer-app. (I’m looking at you, GEH) Although I must say Google Maps is no match for Google Earth as for the 3D experience. But the only thing you’ll need is a browser (Safari, Camino or Firefox), drop in your placemarks and enjoy the view. My experiments so far have led to implementing the top 25 impact structures in GMaps. You can view the alpha version in the lab (alpha meaning it’s severely broken). […]
October 18, 2005

Frank Taylor

Just wanted to let you know I’ve written about your collection in a story at the Google Earth Blog (www.gearthblog.com). Great job!
October 18, 2005

Caspar

Hi Frank, Thank You! 🙂
October 22, 2007

CW Massey

I fly over a crater just south of Atlanta, GA. It is located just southeast of Woodbury, Ga. Do you have any information on its formation? The center coordinates are N32 56 w084 32.5. Georgia Tech has an radio telescope near those coordinates. From the air, a very round ring of hills is very evident, especially with low sun angles.
October 23, 2007

Caspar

Hello CW Massey,

From what I can see you’ve flown over the Woodbury Structure. You can find it in the SEIS collection for Google Earth, because it isn’t a confirmed structure, yet.
December 20, 2008

Hans Nienhuis

So, that’s well done, Frank!
The volcanoes and the earthquakes are already implemented in Google Earth, but not the impact craters.
Thank you very much for doing this, now is the geological view complete! I’ve spent hours and hours watching it, flying over the craters and enjoying the amazed faces of other people watching me using this application.

Only one question: the Size Indicators. Some of the structures marked into the SEIS March 2006 index have been researched the last two and an half years. Some are confirmed, others rejected, ans an few ones turned out to have an other size than showed with the Size Indicator.

Ik would like it to hold the application up to date (at least at my own computer), so can you tell me how I can change the size of some of the Size Indicators?
January 17, 2009

Caspar

Hello Hans,

I’m afraid the collection isn’t as up to date as I’d like it to be. Maybe if I can find some time in the near future.

The size indicators are generated according to geographic coordinates. There probably isn’t an easy way to change these. Maybe in the ‘pro’ version of Google Earth?
February 8, 2009

Hans Nienhuis

Thank you very much for your answer, Caspar.
(I’m sorry for calling you Frank.)

I have tried to adapt the size indicators and nothing seems to work. Probably you’re right and Google Earth Pro is needed for that. But paying 400 euros (~$500) for a possible chance to fix only a few size indicators… Hmm, not done with my student income of â‚¬230 a month. 😉

But the application for the confirmed craters is working very well.
Thanks to this application I ‘discovered’ the two craters in shouth Germany (less than 400 miles from my home in Holland), for a meteorology student a interesting and affordable place to visit in the next summer. The application self is actually just like a camp fire: it’s hard to stop looking at it.
May 30, 2010

mihai stanciulescu

hi hans!
are you still in deventer?!
January 5, 2011

Hans Nienhuis

Actually not, mihai. Since a few years i’m now at Wageningen, some 40 kilometres south of Deventer. Still pretty close by.

Ontopic about the craterapplication: it’s still in thankful use here. @Caspar: here is at least one persistant and frequent user of it.
May 18, 2011

Bob Riccardo

To anyone. What is the structure at the southeastern end of Madagascar? It’s circular and and about 40 miles wide. Thanks Much!
May 18, 2011

Bob Riccardo

To anyone. What is the structure at the southeastern end of Madagascar? It’s circular and about 40 miles wide. Thanks Much!
May 18, 2011

Bob Riccardo

Their are also 2 structures just west of Antsely Madagascar.