* Astronomy

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RE: Vredefort-Witwátersrand Structure

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Earth's Oldest and Biggest Crater Yields New Secrets

Geologists say they've discovered rocks long thought vanished, the youngest remains of the oldest and biggest impact crater on Earth.
In the abraded heart of South Africa's Vredefort impact crater lurk striking green-black rocks, some of the only remnants of a magma sea that once filled the gaping crater, according to a study to be published this May in the journal Geology. Until now, geologists thought nearly all of these "impact melt" rocks were lost to time. Some 10 kilometers of Vredefort crater has worn away since it was whacked open 2.02 billion years ago.
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South African Government, Landowners Sign Agreement To Preserve Site Of Meteor Impact

The South African government and landowners of the Vredefort Dome, site of meteorite impact, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement, taking the site a step closer to becoming a new World Heritage Site and protected under South African law.
The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement will pave the way for the proclamation of the area as a heritage site and appointment of a management authority which will serve as a precursor for the development of an integrated management plan.
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Vredefort impact crater

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Vredefort Dome

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Most of us know that Vredefort Dome has something to do with a meteorite that hit Earth a very long time ago, but not much else. Is the crater worth a visit? Leon-Ben Lamprecht travelled to Parys, the unofficial capital of the Vredefort Dome, and found there are lots of activities to keep holidaymakers happy.

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South Africa 'home to largest meteorite site'

Inquisitive adventure explorers might want to head to South Africa to see the largest meteorite impact site found on earth.
According to Suite101 contributor Karin Panaino Petersen, the Vredefort dome is an area where the object from space struck 2,023 million years ago.
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THE VREDEFORT DOME

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Vaal land owners are up in arms over a proposed five-star hotel and conference centre development on the five islands in the Vaal River, near Parys.
The resort to be erected by Woodbridge Property Development falls within the Tlkowe municipality in North West province, and within the boundary of the soon-to-be proclaimed Vredefort Dome World Heritage Site.

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To the amazement of nature lovers, tour planners and scientists at home and abroad, there is now talk of delisting the Vredefort Dome as a Unesco World Heritage Site (WHS). The Dome is one of eight sites in SA designated by Unesco (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation), including another troubled site, Robben Island, but also including such favourites as the Drakensberg, Mapungubwe and the Cape Floral Kingdom. More are likely to be added as time goes on - unless the country embarrasses itself to such an extent that Unesco simply walks away.

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