Barringer Crater

Formerly known as Canyon Diablo Crater and simply "Meteor Crater" (because the United States Board on Geographic Names commonly derives geographic names by use of the nearest post office's name which, in this case, is named Meteor), this crater is referred to by Scientists as Barringer Crater in honor of Daniel Barringer, who first suggested it was made by a meteor impact. The Barringer family own the crater and they claim it's the "best preserved meteorite crater on Earth." Because it's not federally owned, the crater is not protected as a national monument but it had been designated a National Natural Landmark in November 1967. Lying at an elevation of about 1,740 m (5,710 ft) above sea level, Meteor Crater It is about 1,200 m (3,900 ft) in diameter and 170 m (560 ft) deep!