Peruvian crater caused by meteor
{{date|September 21, 2007}}

Peruvian scientists confirmed on September 20 that the crater found Saturday in the [[w:Puno Region|Puno region]], of [[Peru]] by local villagers and blamed for a mass illness affecting 200 people was likely caused by a [[w:meteorite|meteorite]]. 

Jose Ishitsuka, of Peru's Geophysics Institute, found a three-inch magnetic fragment that contained iron, which is common in all rocks from space. The impact also registered a [[w:Moment Magnitude Scale|magnitude]] 1.5 earthquake, equivalent to 4.9 tons of dynamite exploding. 

Jay Melosh, an expert on impact craters and professor of planetary science at the [[w:University of Arizona|University of Arizona]], was initially skeptical that the crater was caused by a meteorite, but recently said, "It begins to sound more likely to me that this object could indeed be a meteorite."

The crater made by the meteorite measured 15 feet deep and 65 feet wide.

==Related news==
*{{wikinews|title=Meteorite blamed for mysterious illness in Peru|date=September 20, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7008582242
|title=Experts Confirm Peru Meteorite Site
|author=Ed Sutherland
|pub=AHN
|date=September 21, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/20/ap/tech/main3283795.shtml
|title= Meteorite Likely Caused Crater In Peru
|author=
|pub= CBS News
|date=September 20, 2007}}

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[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:Health]]
[[Category:South America]]
[[Category:Peru]]
[[Category:Space]]
[[Category:University of Arizona]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Natural disasters]]
[[Category:Geology]]
Peruvian scientists confirmed on September 20 that the crater found Saturday in the Puno region, of Peru by local villagers and blamed for a mass illness affecting 200 people was likely caused by a meteorite. 

Jose Ishitsuka, of Peru's Geophysics Institute, found a three-inch magnetic fragment that contained iron, which is common in all rocks from space. The impact also registered a magnitude 1.5 earthquake, equivalent to 4.9 tons of dynamite exploding. 

Jay Melosh, an expert on impact craters and professor of planetary science at the University of Arizona, was initially skeptical that the crater was caused by a meteorite, but recently said, "It begins to sound more likely to me that this object could indeed be a meteorite."

The crater made by the meteorite measured 15 feet deep and 65 feet wide.
Science and technology Health South America Peru Space University of Arizona Disasters and accidents Natural disasters Geology