<![CDATA[io9: mega impacts]]> http://tags.lifehacker.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/io9.com.png <![CDATA[io9: mega impacts]]> http://io9.com/tag/megaimpacts http://io9.com/tag/megaimpacts <![CDATA[The Earth-Bashers]]> Mars isn't the only planet with awe-inspiring craters. Here on Earth, we've been pummeled by space rocks in the not-so-distant past, and our planet has the scars to prove it. A new photo essay in National Geographic by Stephen Alvarez tells the story of planetary impacts like this one (above) in Arizona, U.S., called simply Meteor Crater. It's almost a mile wide. Check out an even more awesome one below.

Located in the Australian outback, this 14-mile long crater was created about 140 million years ago. Today it's called Gosses Bluff and this hilly area pictured is the 2-mile-wide center of the impact.

Check out more planet-smashing goodness in the full photo essay.

Target Earth [via National Geographic] (Thanks, Marilyn Terrell!)

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