Sudbury Shatter Cone XL 4 lb

Sudbury Meteorite Impact Structure: A Geological Marvel

This is a large 4 lb shatter cone from the Sudbury meteorite impact structure, located in the Sudbury Igneous Complex, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved impact structures on Earth, with a diameter of approximately 250 kilometers.

Formation and History

The formation of the Sudbury impact structure is believed to have occurred about 1.85 billion years ago during the Paleoproterozoic era. The impact was caused by an asteroid or comet with a diameter of about 10-15 kilometers, traveling over 20 kilometers per second. This collision resulted in a crater estimated to be about 100 kilometers in diameter, which has since been eroded and modified by geological processes.

Unique Features of the Sudbury Impact Structure

Among the unique features of the Sudbury Impact Structure is the presence of shatter cones—pointed, striated rock formations often found at meteorite impact sites. These unusual structures are created by the extreme pressures and temperatures experienced during the impact event. Sudbury's shatter cones vary considerably in size, with some reaching several meters in length, making them some of the most prominent examples of this phenomenon known to science.

Sudbury's Rich Mining History

The Sudbury Impact Structure also boasts complex mineral deposits, including significant concentrations of nickel, copper, platinum, palladium, and other precious metals, which have been mined since  The rich presence of these minerals is attributed to the intense heat and pressure generated by the impact, which caused the molten rock to segregate into layers of different compositions. The Sudbury Impact Structure is a unique testament to the immense power of cosmic events and their enduring influence on our planet's geology.

The Sudbury impact structure in Ontario, Canada, has been mined for more than 130 years.

Sudbury Mining History

• Mining began in the 1880s after the Canadian Pacific Railway cut through the basin and workers discovered large deposits of nickel–copper sulfide ore.

• By the early 20th century, Sudbury had become one of the world’s most important mining districts, and it remains active today.

What They Mine at Sudbury

The Sudbury Basin is globally famous for its nickel deposits, but the ores are polymetallic. Miners extract:

• Nickel (primary target, used in stainless steel, batteries, and alloys)

• Copper

• Platinum group metals (PGMs) – platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, ruthenium

• Cobalt

• Gold and silver (as valuable by-products)

Geological Note

These ore deposits formed when the Sudbury impact melt sheet differentiated and sulfide liquids segregated at the base, concentrating metals. This makes Sudbury one of the best examples of impact-related magmatic ore deposits on Earth.

Details About This Sudbury Shatter Cone Specimen

Size of Shatter Cone: 200mm L X 150mm W X 98mm D. Weight: 4.12 lb or 1,868.3 grams.

This dynamic Sudbury shatter cone ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand, and information about the specimen. The display stand and photo cube are not included.

Add to Sudbury to Your Impact Collection Today!

The Sudbury impact structure is an incredible asteroid impact site, and is an important addition to any serious geology collection.

This shatter cone is guaranteed authentic and ships with a Certificate of Authenticity, tag, tag stand and information about the Sudbury Impact Structure.