Fri Jul 18 08:10:00 UTC 2025: **Grand Canyon’s Ancient Lake Linked to Meteor Crater Impact**
**By Science X Staff**
**Edited by Sadie Harley, Reviewed by Andrew Zinin**
**ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –** A groundbreaking study published in *Geology* suggests a compelling connection between two iconic geological features of the American Southwest: the Grand Canyon and Meteor Crater. Researchers from the University of New Mexico (UNM) and an international team of collaborators have found evidence indicating that a massive landslide dam in the Grand Canyon, which created a large paleolake about 56,000 years ago, coincided with the impact of the Meteor Crater.
The research, led by UNM Distinguished Professors Emeriti Karl Karlstrom and Laurie Crossey, hinges on the precise dating of driftwood and sediment found in caves high above the Colorado River. Using advanced dating techniques, the team determined that these deposits are approximately 56,000 years old, aligning remarkably with the independently estimated age of the Meteor Crater impact (53,000-63,000 years old).
The story of this discovery spans decades, beginning with initial observations in the 1960s by Karlstrom’s father, Thor, who found ancient animal remains and artifacts in Stanton’s Cave within the Grand Canyon. Subsequent dating efforts yielded ages nearing the limits of radiocarbon dating technology. It was not until recently, with the development of more precise methods, that researchers could accurately determine the age of the deposits.
“From numerous research trips, Karl and I knew of other highly accessible caves that had both driftwood and sediment that could be dated,” said Crossey.
Key to the new findings was a serendipitous connection between several researchers: Chris Bastien, working on driftwood collections at the University of Arizona, and David Kring, science coordinator for Meteor Crater. Jonathan Palmer, from an Australian lab, while visiting both Bastien and Meteor Crater, noticed the striking coincidence of ages. The team then employed multiple dating methods at labs in Australia, New Zealand, and Utah State University to confirm the 56,000-year-old age.
The team proposes that the seismic shockwaves generated by the Meteor Crater impact, estimated to be equivalent to a magnitude 5.4 earthquake, could have triggered a landslide near Nankoweap Canyon in the Grand Canyon. This landslide would have blocked the Colorado River, forming a paleolake that extended far upstream, allowing driftwood to be deposited in caves like Stanton’s Cave.
While acknowledging other possibilities, such as a random rockfall or earthquake, the researchers emphasize the unique convergence of these rare geologic events within a narrow timeframe. “The mean of dates from them converge into a narrow window of time at 55,600 ± 1,300 years ago, which gives credence to the hypothesis that they were causally related,” said Karlstrom.
The study provides a compelling example of how seemingly disparate geological events can be linked, adding another layer to our understanding of the Earth’s dynamic history. The research team hopes that further investigations will continue to refine our understanding of the interplay between these iconic Southwestern landmarks.
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