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Geological Enigma: Australia's Spider Crater Imaged by Landsat 9
A NASA-USGS satellite has captured a detailed image of the unique Spider Crater in Western Australia, revealing its distinctive arachnoid pattern.
A distinctive geological formation in Western Australia, known as the Spider Crater, has been captured in a new image by the Operational Land Imager (OLI) aboard the NASA-USGS Landsat 9 satellite. The satellite recorded the feature on September 20, 2026, providing a detailed view of its curious, arachnoid pattern sprawling across the landscape of the Kimberley region.
The Spider Crater is the product of a powerful meteorite impact that occurred hundreds of millions of years ago, subsequently shaped by extensive erosion over millennia. The full impact structure presents an oval shape, measuring approximately 13 kilometres by 11 kilometres (8 miles by 7 miles). The more prominent, spider-like central portion of the crater spans about 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) across.
Geologists have long studied the site, believing the unusual arachnoid pattern to be the remnant of a central uplift. This raised portion of the crater floor typically forms as the ground rebounds from the immense shock of an initial impact. The light-coloured, radiating features, which give the crater its 'legs' appearance, are identified as durable sandstone ridges. These ridges have withstood the forces of erosion, while other, less resilient rock layers within the impact zone have gradually worn away.
For decades following its discovery, the feature has intrigued scientists, offering insights into the long-term geological processes that shape planetary surfaces. The continued monitoring by satellites such as Landsat 9 helps to document and understand these ancient formations and the dynamic history of Earth's crust.
Reporting by the The Indian Morning Post Editorial Desk.
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