MACHA METEORITE-CRATER GROUP, WESTERN YAKUTIA

Abstract

The recent additions to the lists of meteorite craters discovered on the Earth's surface are mainly impact-induced structures over 1 to 3 km in diameter [1-3]. This paper describes the identification and study of another group of small-diameter craters, less than 1 km in diameter. This crater group lies in the basin of the Macha River, a left tributary of the Lena. The meteorite crater group consists of five funnel-shaped structures [5]. The two largest craters form a double funnel shaped like the figure eight. The second largest crater, forming the double funnel with the first, is 180 m in diameter. The third crater lies northwest of the second, from which it is separated by a ridge 4 m high and at least 8 to 10 m wide. The next crater is 90 m in diameter and lies northwest of the three described above. The last crater in the group is 60 m in diameter and lies 100 m northwest of the fourth. Other aspects of the study are discussed.