Wetumpka Impact Crater Marker

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Explore Alabama's Wetumpka Impact Crater: Witness the geological marvel of an ancient asteroid collision, a unique landmark in American history.

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Wetumpka Impact Crater marker

Visit the Wetumpka Impact Crater, Alabama's hidden geological wonder! Explore the remnants of a massive asteroid impact from 85 million years ago, now a unique historical landmark. See the upturned rock formations and learn about this fascinating site.

A brief summary to Wetumpka Impact Crater marker

6246-6422 AL-21, Wetumpka, Alabama, 36092, US
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Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Visit the Elmore County Health Department on US Highway 231 to see an Alabama Historical Association marker recounting the crater's story [5, 14].
Drive along Fire Tower Road for views of the eastern crater rim and the communication towers atop Bald Knob, the highest point on the rim [6, 14].
Check out the Coosa River from the Bibb Graves Bridge to observe the tilted rock formations resulting from the impact [6, 8, 14].

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Getting There

Driving

From downtown Wetumpka, head east on US Highway 231. The historical marker is located in front of the Elmore County Health Department, approximately 1 mile from downtown [5, 14]. Parking is available at the Health Department. There are no tolls on this route.
Public Transport

Wetumpka Transit provides bus service throughout the city [3]. Check the Wetumpka Transit schedule for the nearest bus stop and times. From the bus stop, follow US Highway 231 to the Elmore County Health Department. A single ride fare is typically around $1 - $2 [3]. Please note that bus services may be limited on Sundays and federal holidays [3].

Discover more about Wetumpka Impact Crater marker

The Wetumpka Impact Crater, located near Wetumpka, Alabama, marks the spot of a significant cosmic event that occurred approximately 85 million years ago [4, 5, 6, 9]. During the late Cretaceous period, a large asteroid, estimated to be about 1,100 feet in diameter, crashed into a shallow sea in this area [4, 5, 8, 9]. The impact created a crater nearly five miles wide, making it one of the best-preserved marine impact sites in the world [4, 6, 8, 12]. Today, the most visible evidence of the crater are the ridges and unusual rock formations surrounding the area [5, 6, 8, 14]. The impact site is characterized by upturned Piedmont rocks, bent sharply towards the crater's center [6, 14]. Drilling in the central area has revealed altered mineral fragments, further confirming its origin [5, 6, 8, 9]. The Coosa River flows across the western edge of the crater, offering views of the upturned rocks from the Bibb Graves Bridge [6, 8, 14]. While much of the crater lies on private property, several public viewpoints offer visitors a chance to witness this unique geological landmark [9, 14, 16]. The Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission is actively working to develop a Science and Crater Impact Exhibition Center to further explore the event's educational and tourism potential [12].