Connolly Basin Meteorite Impact Crater - WA

Connolly Basin is a 9 km-diameter circular depression, interpreted as an eroded meteorite impact crater, located in the Gibson Desert of central Western Australia. It lies just south of the Talawana Track 45 km west of the junction with the Gary Highway (Windy Corner), but is difficult to access due to the remoteness of the area. Originally thought to be a Diapir (salt dome), an impact origin was first proposed in 1985.

The depression has a topographic rim 25–30 m high, while the centre displays a slight circular rise about 1 km in diameter and 5 m high exposing strongly deformed and steeply dipping bedrock interpreted as a central uplift. Sedimentary rocks comprising the rim are of Early Cretaceous to Palaeogene age, while uplifted rocks in the centre are likely of Early Permian age, all part of the Canning Basin; the impact event itself is inferred to be of Palaeogene (early Tertiary) age.