History Behind the Odessa, Texas Meteor Crater

If you live in Midland-Odessa, Texas, then you have likely heard about or even seen the large crater located Southwest of Odessa.  According to Wikipedia, this geographical marvel is evidence of a cosmic event that happened over 63,000 years ago, right in our own backyard!

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From Outter Space To Odessa, Texas

Originally, the crater measured around 550 feet in diameter and was about 100 feet deep.  However, through the natural course of time, erosion had taken its toll on the site and slightly filled in the crater until it became what we see today.  It consisted of 5 different impacts, with the largest of the 5 being the most studied.

Discovery in West Texas

The crater was discovered by Elias H. Sellards in 1922 and has been the source of countless studies over the decades by scientists from all over the world.  These studies have given insight into the craters' formation and local impact on local geology.  In 1961, it was deemed a National Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Odessa Meteor Crater Museum

On October 1, 2002, the Odessa Meteor Crater Museum opened its doors.  It offers a path around the site, which is accompanied by a self-guided tour.  In the main building, patrons can see meteors that were found on site and also from other parts of the world.

In 2019, the museum was featured on the popular Texas-based television show The Daytripper.  A show dedicated to exploring the weird and unique things in the state of Texas.  The uniqueness of the crater definitely fits that description.