This list includes all 11 confirmed impact structures in South America as listed in the Earth Impact Database. These features were caused by the collision of large meteorites or comets with the Earth. For eroded or buried craters, the stated diameter typically refers to an estimate of original rim diameter, and may not correspond to present surface features.
Confirmed impact structures
NameLocationDiameterAge (years)CoordinatesAraguainhaBrazil40 km244.40 ± 3.25 million Campo del CieloArgentina0.05 km< 4000 CarancasPeru0.0135 km18 ColôniaBrazil3.6 km>5 million, <36 million MonturaquiChile0.46 km< 1 million Riachão RingBrazil4.5 km< 200 million Rio CuartoArgentina4.5 km (largest of 10)< 100,000 Santa MartaBrazil10 km66 million - 100 million Serra da CangalhaBrazil12 km< 300 million Vargeão DomeBrazil12 km< 70 million Vista AlegreBrazil9.5 km< 65 million
Unconfirmed impact structures
The following structures are officially considered "unconfirmed" because they are not listed in the Earth Impact Database. Due to stringent requirements regarding evidence and peer-reviewed publication, newly discovered craters or those with difficulty collecting evidence generally are known for some time before becoming listed. However, entries on the unconfirmed list could still have an impact origin disproven.
Name Location Diameter Age Coordinates Cerro do Jarau crater Brazil ? Iturralde Bolivia 11–30 thousand Piratininga crater Paraná Basin, Brazil 117 million Praia Grande Santos Basin, Brazil Vichada Structure Colombia 30 million
See also
Impact craters Impact events Bolides and Meteorites Earth Impact Database – primary source Traces of Catastrophe book from Lunar and Planetary Institute - comprehensive reference on impact crater science
References
External links Earth Impact Database – List of confirmed earth impact sites at the Planetary and Space Science Centre, University of New Brunswick Impact Database (formerly Suspected Earth Impact Sites list) maintained by David Rajmon for Impact Field Studies Group, USA