Impact of Meteor Felt 465 Million Years Later

DECORAH -- A new marker has been installed at Van Peenen Park. The large bronze medallion, set into a concrete base, marks the scientific "point of impact" of a meteor that struck Decorah 465 million years ago, long before the dinosaurs roamed the earth. So long ago, in fact, that this place was a shallow sea. The Decorah impact crater is history beneath visitors' feet. Many area partners know the story of the meteor, the resulting impact crater, and the associated fossil finds well and have worked to take the following discoveries from paper to place. Funding for the new marker was secured by Winneshiek County Development and Tourism through a Travel Iowa tourism grant. Additional funding came from the Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, who also recieved a Winneshiek County Community Foundation grant. The grants helped cover design, fabrication, and delivery of the marker. Decorah Parks & Recreation provided in-kind labor and materials to get the marker set at the correct location. Professor of Environmental Studies at Luther College Laura Peterson says, "The discovery of the impact crater and its fossils has been important within the scientific community but it's also great to have this visible marker here within our own community to remind us of yet another way this area is special." There are only 200 recognized impact structures on the earth. In 2015, the discovery of Decorah's impact crater made international news. It spurred local product designs, a local single-track trail race and a new educational curriculum. Now, there is a formal marker that can serve as a destination for residents and visitors. Alyssa Ritter with Visit Decorah tourism is glad to have a place to share with visitors who express interest in the scientific discovery. She says, "Having a place to go is an important thing for visitors. The story is fascinating of course, but a corresponding attraction means that they can have an experience and make a memory." Ritter, who answers visitor questions each year, is already anticipating the next questions that will be asked this summer. "We know people are going to be confused that the marker for the crater is located on a hill." she laughed, "Actually most people assume Decorah is 'in the crater' but the landscape we see and experience today actually sits many layers above the 'crater layer.' Because the geologic layer of the impact crater is actually far below the current ground level, 300 feet below the marker actually, we know we will spend a lot of time talking about how much has changed since the meteor hit that GPS coordinate." Want to check it out for yourself? To stand on the point of impact, recommendations are to park at the main entrance to Van Peenen Park off of Quarry Hill Road in Decorah. From the informational kiosk, take the Huginn Trail loop (a 1.7 mile total trek). This off-road trail includes slight elevation changes and those visiting the site are encouraged to dress for the weather and conditions, avoiding times of mud if possible. Interpretation, public outreach, school-based education and tourism promotion efforts for the Decorah impact crater are being led by Luther College, Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce, Visit Decorah tourism, Winneshiek County Economic Development & Tourism, Northeast Iowa RC&D, Winneshiek County Conservation, Travel Iowa and passionate Decorah residents. Learn more at www.decorahcrater.com.