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Wetumpka Impact Crater Marker: A Cosmic Collision

Explore Alabama's Wetumpka Impact Crater: a five-mile-wide reminder of a cosmic collision 85 million years ago.

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The Wetumpka Impact Crater, formed roughly 85 million years ago by a large asteroid, is a unique geological site. The historical marker on AL-21 marks the spot of 'Alabama's greatest natural disaster' and one of the best-preserved marine impact craters in the world.

A brief summary to Wetumpka Impact Crater marker

  • 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 Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery & Visitors Center for maps and information about the self-guided driving tour.
  • Look for the upturned rock formations along U.S. Highway 231 and near the Coosa River, which indicate the crater's rim.
  • Check out Bald Knob, the highest point on the crater rim, for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
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Getting There

  • Driving

    The Wetumpka Impact Crater marker is located on AL-21, a short drive from downtown Wetumpka. From the intersection of U.S. Highway 231 and AL-14 in Wetumpka, head east on AL-14, then turn left onto AL-21 North. The marker will be on your left. Parking is available near the marker. Expect some traffic during peak hours. Limited parking is available at the marker site itself. Additional parking can be found nearby.

  • Public Transport

    Wetumpka Transit provides bus service throughout the city. Check the Wetumpka Transit schedule for routes and times to the vicinity of the AL-21 marker. From the nearest bus stop, it may be necessary to walk a short distance to reach the marker. A single ride fare on Wetumpka Transit is typically around $1.25.

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Discover more about Wetumpka Impact Crater marker

The Wetumpka Impact Crater stands as a testament to a cataclysmic event that occurred approximately 85 million years ago. A large asteroid, estimated to be around 1,100 feet in diameter, crashed into a shallow sea in what is now central Alabama. The impact created a crater nearly five miles wide, and the town of Wetumpka now sits within its northwest rim. Identified as an impact crater in the 1970s, the site offers a glimpse into Earth's ancient past. The impact site is unique as one of the few exposed impact craters and the best-preserved marine impact crater. The impact was so powerful that it bent the surrounding bedrock and scattered debris as far as the present-day Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can explore the area via a self-guided driving tour, with maps and information available at the Wetumpka Impact Crater Discovery & Visitors Center. The center itself provides interactive exhibits, displays, and resources to learn more about the science and history behind the crater. Several viewpoints around Wetumpka offer vistas of the crater's rim, including Bald Knob, the highest point on the rim.

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