“10,000 years ago, a meteoritemeteorite crashed into the side of a hill in southern France. Our vines grow today in and around the crater. » This is what can be read at the opening of the Domaine du Domaine’s website. MeteorMeteor, an estate located in the mountains of Languedoc. Marketing stunt or scientific reality? Of the Goethe University researchers (Germany) now finally provide an answer: yes! the vines in question are well established in a depression of some 220 meters in diameter and regarding 30 meters deep dug by the impact of a meteorite.
Several analyzes confirm this. First, the discovery of layers of colorcolor dark in one of shalesshales. They might correspond to shock veins produced by the crushing and fracturing of the rock during an impact. The discovery also of angular rock debris held together by a kind of « cementcement » which can also be produced during a meteorite impact.
Then, observation shows that the Earth’s magnetic field is slightly weaker in the crater than in the surrounding area. Typical of meteorite impact craters. And the discovery of tiny oxide spherules of ferfer — as has also been found in other impact craters — and many microdiamonds — such as may be produced by high pressionpression during the impact of a meteorite.a
A set of observations which can, according to the researchers, lead practically to only one conclusion: a meteorite has indeed fallen on the mountains of Languedoc.
