Meteor Crater is a meteorite impact crater approximately 37 miles (60 km) east of Flagstaff and 18 miles (29 km) west of Winslow in the northern Arizona desert of the United States. The site was formerly known as the Canyon Diablo Crater ("Diablo" meaning "Devil" in Spanish) and fragments of the meteorite are officially called the Canyon Diablo Meteorite.[2] Scientists refer to the crater as Barringer Crater in honor of Daniel Barringer, who was first to suggest that it was produced by meteorite impact.[3] Because the United States Board on Geographic Names recognizes names of natural features derived from the nearest post office, the feature acquired the name of "Meteor Crater" from the nearby post office named Meteor.[4]
Yes it is just a big hole in the ground. But what a nice meteor crater. The drive to it is beautiful, the crater is cool and the museum and gift shops are better than expected. If you are interested in geology and/or astronomy, it is well worth the trip.
