Crater on cliff: Rare meteorite impact site found in Dhofar
Muscat – A newly identified meteorite crater in Dhofar mountains is being hailed as a rare geological discovery and the first of its kind to be found on a slope anywhere in the world.
Spotted by researchers from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the 259m-wide impact crater lies near the edge of a cliff close to Jardoom, about 20km northwest of Salalah. Unlike typical circular craters formed on flat ground, this one has a crescent-shaped structure due to the sloped terrain where the meteorite struck.
'It is the first impact crater to be found on a slope anywhere in the world, making it one of its kind,' Giribabu Dandabathula, lead researcher and scientist at ISRO told Muscat Daily . 'We have been searching for such craters for the past 12 years, focusing on mountainous areas. Luckily, we have found one in the Dhofar mountains.'
The structure, preserved remarkably well, was confirmed using satellite images and laser beam elevation data from NASA's ICESat-2 satellite.
The researchers involved in the study, published in Earth and Planetary Science , compared the structure to a similar crater on Mars owing to the absence of a comparative crater on Earth. 'The reason for the rarity of impact craters on slopes is that structures on slopes are easily eroded, potentially leading to altered or less recognisable crater shapes, especially on Earth, due to weathering and runoff. We needed details of another impact crater on slopes that could enable us to compare it with the one in Dhofar. We compared the Martian crater with the one found on Dhofar, and interestingly, both craters have many similarities.'
Confirming the Dhofar crater to be created by a meteorite impact, Dandabathula said, 'The shape and features – like a raised rim and a depression with the deepest point shifted downhill – strongly indicate an impact.'
Speaking about other craters, Dandabathula noted that while the Mahout structure in central Oman has been proposed as an impact site, its origins remain unconfirmed. In contrast, the Dhofar region is already known for a rich collection of meteorites. 'This crater, if confirmed through field studies, would be a significant addition to that record.'
Though more studies are needed, the discovery adds to Oman's scientific significance and could draw further research interest to the region. 'This site is not only accessible from Salalah but also offers a testbed for global geologists,' Dandabathula said. 'It's an opportunity to turn remote sensing into real-world exploration.'
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