The Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the NASA-USGS Landsat 9 satellite captured an image of Spider Crater on September 20, 2026, documenting the distinctive pattern of its geological structure.
The entire impact structure is oval-shaped, measuring approximately 13 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide. At its centre is a spider-like formation that spans around 4 kilometres across, creating the unusual appearance that has attracted attention to the site.
Geologists believe the striking pattern represents the remains of a central uplift, a raised section of a crater floor that develops when the ground rebounds following the powerful shock of an impact. The light-coloured structures resembling spider legs are sandstone ridges that have remained exposed as other layers of rock in the surrounding area gradually wore away through erosion.
For decades, scientists attempted to determine how Spider Crater formed, with some initially suggesting that the structure had a volcanic origin. However, field studies eventually helped geologists identify evidence pointing to an ancient meteorite impact.
Among the key findings were fan-shaped fractures known as shatter cones, which develop when powerful shock waves travel through rocks. These distinctive fractures have been found throughout the crater's central dome, providing evidence supporting the impact explanation.
Scientists have also examined shocked quartz and zircon crystals discovered in the sandstone. Laboratory analysis of these minerals may help researchers determine the angle at which the meteorite struck the ground.
Although geological investigations have helped establish the impact origin of Spider Crater, the exact date of the event remains unknown. The formation's distinctive structure, preserved sandstone ridges and evidence of shock waves continue to offer scientists clues about the forces that shaped this unusual landscape.
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