Goyder
Key facts
- Country
- Australia
- Diameter
- 3 km
- Age
- less than about 1.4 billion years
- Location
- 13.15° S, 135.03° E
A round pattern of eroded sandstone in remote Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.
Goyder is an eroded impact structure about 3 km across in Arnhem Land, in the north of the Northern Territory, Australia.
What it hit. The impactor struck Proterozoic sandstones and other sedimentary rocks, about 1.4 billion years old.
Proof of impact. Geologists found shatter cones and quartz with shock features, which confirmed an impact.
Age. The age is very poorly known. The impact happened after the rocks it struck were deposited, about 1.4 billion years ago, and could be much younger.
Why it matters. Goyder is one of several small, ancient impact structures in northern Australia. Erosion has removed the original crater, but its shocked rocks survive. The impactor is unknown.
Visiting. Arnhem Land is Aboriginal land, and entry requires a permit from the traditional owners.
Did you know?
Goyder lies in Arnhem Land, which needs a permit to enter.
Shatter cones confirmed its impact origin.
Its age is very poorly known.