6 amazing craters worth visiting
If you are looking for unique travel destinations, then you might want to visit the six largest craters on earth. These craters were created millions of years ago, but they offer an exciting travel opportunity today.
Vredefort Crater
The center of the Vredefort Crater is located near Vredefort, South Africa. A great way to explore this crater is on a driving tour starting at Parys, South Africa. Along the way, you will see many crops being grown and beautiful streams that make great places to have a picnic. Since most of the roads through the Vredefort Crater are a combination of gravel and dirt, you will want to go between mid-May and September because over 0.5 inches of rain falls on average each day for 8.5 months of the year. Keep your eyes alert to spot leopards, rootkits, aardwolves, jackals, rock dassies, and antelope.
Sudbury Crater
The second-largest crater on Earth is the Sudbury Crater in Canada. You may want to consider starting your visit at the Dynamic Earth Building where you can ride a glass elevator deep inside a nickel mine. Stop to see the 150-foot tall Onaping Falls before continuing to Lake Laurentian Conservation Area. The best time to visit the Sudbury Crater is usually in September when the leaves are putting on their fall colors. The temperature in Ontario can be tricky in September, with average highs reaching 92 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best to check the forecast before you take in the beauty of the Sudbury Crater.
Chicxulub Crater
Located in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, visiting this crater can be challenging because it is buried entirely underground, and it was only discovered when special scientific equipment was used to look for oil. You can visit the Museum of Science of the Chicxulub Crater in Merida, Mexico, to learn more about this crater. Scientists believe that the comet that created this crater is also responsible for creating the beautiful blue water sinkholes that dot the area around Merida. The best time to visit is from December to April when the weather is usually calm without the threat of severe weather, such as thunderstorms, hail, lightning, and damaging wind.
Popigai Crater
This crater in Siberia, Russia, holds a mass amount of diamonds. The crater is located near the town of Khatanga, Russia. Much of the area is cordoned off by the Russian government because of the diamond deposits. Visiting this crater can be tricky unless you are invited by the government to do so. A small natural history museum tells the story of this crater. Since this is one of the northernmost points in Russia, you will need to wrap up in winter clothing year-round when visiting. You may want to plan your visit for July when temperatures often get to 17 degrees Fahrenheit as it is the warmest month out of the year.
Acraman Crater
Located in Australia, the significant impact the meteor creating Acraman Crater left was forming Lake Acraman, which is a dry-salt lake that appears white from space. The dry-salt lake sits within the Gawler Ranges, which offers many bushwalking opportunities. The desolate landscape of this region is home to numerous wombats. You may also see red and grey kangaroos, euros and emus. Check the local forecast before visiting this area because the roads are dirt and often require a four-wheel high-clearance vehicle. The best time to go is from June to August, which is Winter in Australia.
Chesapeake Bay Crater
This region is located on the eastern shore of the United States, and there are plenty of fun things to do when you visit. Very near the center of the crater is Cape Charles, Virginia. The beach here is a beautiful place to relax when the local forecast calls for sunny skies. Also, located nearby on the crater’s western rim are Yorktown, Virginia, with its many historical museums and attractions and Gloucester Point, Virginia, where prime fishing conditions often exist. The best time to visit this region is in September and October when the leaves are changing colors. The temperature will be milder, too.
Only parts of these six largest craters on earth are open to the public. Make sure to respect private property laws. You can, however, have a great vacation near any of them, but be sure to keep an eye on the local weather.
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