The narrative explores a catastrophic meteorite impact that occurred thirty-five million years ago, detailing its immense destruction and lasting effects on the Chesapeake Bay region. Wylie Poag, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist, recounts his journey of discovery, from puzzling geological features to the realization of the impact's significance. He shares insights into the scientific process, the collaborative efforts of researchers, and the implications of the impact on Earth's history and geography, all presented in engaging and accessible language.
Scientific and public interest in asteroids, comets, and meteorite impacts has surged, particularly due to debates about the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinctions and their potential link to a massive impact in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Recent spectacular impacts on Jupiter and close encounters with Near-Earth Objects have heightened discussions about the necessity of understanding bolide impacts. In 1994, the discovery of the largest impact structure in the U.S. beneath Virginia's Chesapeake Bay startled both scientists and the public. Seismic surveys and deep coring revealed a massive crater, 85 kilometers in diameter and over a kilometer deep, extending from Yorktown, Virginia, to 15 kilometers offshore. Major population centers like Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News are situated on the crater's western rim and still experience residual effects from the collision that occurred 36 million years ago. The exploration and documentation of the Chesapeake Bay impact structure have unfolded in three phases, highlighting the ongoing significance of understanding such geological events and their long-term implications for both the environment and human society.
