World’s largest modern crater found hiding in plain sight in China

World’s Largest Modern Crater Discovered in China (Image: Chen et al/Matter Radiat. Extremes)

Scientists have discovered an extraordinary impact crater in southern China. The Jinlin crater, located in Guangdong Province, is unusually large for modern times. It challenges previous assumptions about recent meteorite impacts on Earth.

A Colossal Hole in the Ground

The crater measures between 820 and 900 metres wide, with a depth of about 90 metres. It is considered the largest known Holocene-era crater. It is formed within the last 11,700 years. Even in a monsoon-prone, humid region, it remains remarkably well-preserved.

Clues from Shocked Quartz

Inside the crater, scientists found quartz grains with planar deformation features.
These microscopic structures only form under extreme pressure from meteorite collisions, not volcanic activity. This confirms the site as an extraterrestrial impact rather than an Earth-based formation.

A Record-Breaking Discovery

Jinlin dwarfs the previous largest Holocene crater, Russia’s Macha crater, which measures only 300 metres. Estimates suggest the meteorite released energy equivalent to 600,000 tonnes of TNT upon impact. This makes it one of the most energetic recent impacts known on Earth.

Why This Matters?

The discovery shows that recent meteorite impacts may be more common than previously thought. Many craters remain hidden due to erosion, vegetation or human activity. The Jinlin crater stands as a testament to the Earth’s dynamic history.

Even in plain sight, the planet can still surprise us with monumental scars from space. Studying these sites helps scientists understand impact risks, planetary history and Earth's geological evolution.