Vredefort Dome - The largest and most visible meteorite impact crater on Earth!
A meteorite larger than Table Mountain slammed into the ground near what is now Vredefort in the Free State. The resulting thousand-megaton blast of energy was nature's equivalent of a nuclear catastrophe. Except that in this case, life was probably kick-started by the development of oxygen and multicellular life linked to the impact.
Excavating a crater 90km wide and 20km deep, the explosion and shock wave pulverised the earth's rocky innards, injecting shard of granite and dolomite, and forming - among other things - a huge rock-like dome, known today as the Vredefort Dome.
A climb of about a kilometre up the granite rock known as the Vredefort Dome offers an unrestricted view of the mountains and hills around it. Two thousand million years later and the Vredefort Dome Conservancy - as it is now known - is a breathtakingly beautiful place, an outdoor adventurer and tourist's dream. However, it is still relatively unknown, even in South Africa.
Just a couple of kilometres away, the surrounding mountains make the vicinity look like something from the Boland. A paradise that is a mere one-and-a-half-hours drive from Johannesburg.
Geologically speaking, this area is probably one of the most unique sites in the world. It is the oldest of the three largest meteor sites on Earth. The other two are in Mexico and Canada. It is also the best preserved impact site of its size, and has captured the fascination of scientists all over the world.
The Dome Conservancy houses a finely balanced eco-system. A great diversity of habitats exist, including open plains, bushveld and reverie bush Valleys, mountains and ravines with abundant flora are found within the 150km circular ground plan. At least 99 plant species have already been identified, of which the world's largest Olive Wood Tree forest is probably the best known. This forest comprises thousands of indigenous Olive Wood Trees tucked against the slopes of the mountains. Typical bushveld trees like the Spekboom and the Red Ivory are also found.
The area is considered an important birding area with over 450 species already identified. Blue Jays, grey loeries and eagles criss-cross the pollution-free skies. The area contains as many identified butterflies as are found in the whole of Great Britain, and is also home to relatively uncommon animal species, such as the rooikat, aardwolf, leopard, several small buck and the endangered rock dassies. Baboon, of course abound. Historically the "Big Five" were also found here and plans are under way to reintroduce them into the area.
