Vredefort Dome is the oldest giant crater

Vredefort Dome is Earth’s largest crater.

Vredefort Dome lies 120 kilometres south-west of Johannesburg.

A meteorite impact formed Vredefort Dome 2,023 million years ago.

Satellite image of Vredefort Crater in South Africa.

Vredefort Dome is deeply eroded, exposing layers below the crater.

Rocks here show shock metamorphism and shatter cones from impact.

Vredefort Dome exposes geological layers from the Earth's crust.

The protected Vredefort Dome area covers about 30,111 hectares.

Mining is prohibited within the Vredefort Dome and buffer zone.

A management team coordinates conservation and visitor access here.

The landscape shows Vredefort Dome’s multi-ring structure clearly.

Vredefort Dome helps scientists understand Earth's geological evolution.

View from Assvoelkop over Vredefort Crater and Vaal River.

The oldest astrobleme is also the largest meteorite crater on Earth.

Vredefort Dome is the oldest and largest crater known.