Beaverhead Shatter Cone 38 lbs Montana

Giant Shatter Cone from Beaverhead Crater

Shatter cones are the only remaining visible evidence found around the Beaverhead crater's perimeter on the surface. This ancient crater predates the Rocky Mountain orogeny, and tectonic activity has destroyed much of its original morphology. The estimated diameter of the crater is 37 miles. It was named after the region where shatter cones were first discovered in southwest Montana.

Impact Evidence and Geological Significance

The evidence for the Beaverhead Impact Structure resides in its shatter cones, pseudotachylites, and planar deformation features found in quartz. The age of the impact is estimated to be Neoproterozoic, approximately 600 million years ago.

Unique Features

Shatter cones from Beaverhead are essential to any serious geological meteorite impact collection. This crater is the second-largest known in the USA and the 10th-largest in the world. The horsetail patterns on this shatter cone are fantastic, making it a one-of-a-kind specimen.

Meteorite Impact Sizes in the USA

1. Chesapeake Bay impact structure, Virginia: Diameter: Approximately 85 kilometers (53 miles) Features: This structure, formed by an asteroid or comet impact around 35 million years ago, includes a deep, filled central crater, an annular trough, and a peak ring. The impact event vaporized and displaced rocks and sediments, creating glassy particles from solidified melt rock.

2. Beaverhead impact structure in Idaho and Montana: Diameter: Roughly 60 kilometers (37 miles) Features: Dating back about 600 million years, this structure is known for shatter cones, pseudotachylites, and planar deformation features in quartz. Although much of its original shape has been eroded, these geological features provide evidence of the impact.

3. Manson impact structure in Iowa: Diameter: About 35 kilometers (22 miles) Features: Formed by a stony meteorite impact around 74 million years ago, the Manson structure includes a central uplift and shocked quartz within the granitic central uplift. The impact disrupted various rock layers, including granite, gneiss, and shales. Additionally, the Crow Creek Member of the Pierre Shale in South Dakota and Nebraska contains ejecta from the Manson impact, which includes shocked mineral grains and other impact-related materials.

Beaverhead Shatter Cone Size

Size: 17" H X 12" W X 5 1/2" D. Weight: 38 lb.

This specimen ships with a Certificate of Authenticity and information about shatter cones and the Beaverhead impact structure. It was legally collected in 2001.

A Must Have for Any Important World Impacts Collection

Buy this spectacular shatter cone from one of the world's largest impacts and enhance your geological collection in a big way!

This scientific material is Guaranteed Authentic. It was professionally and legally collected and arrives with a Certificate of Authenticity.