Wetumpka Crater Events Set for January 30th to February 1st

If you have not been on a tour of the Wetumpka Impact Crater, you have missed a great history lesson. About 85 million years ago a very large meteor hit where Wetumpka sits today. It created a five-mile wide crater that is still visible near the city.

The crater was discovered in the mid 1970s, but not confirmed until 1998 by Dr. David King Jr., Professor of Geology, Auburn University. Because the location was covered by a shallow sea at the time of impact, scientists have declared it to be one of the “best preserved marine impact craters in the world”.

Each year the Wetumpka Impact Crater Commission and City of Wetumpka sponsor several Crater events, a Thursday evening public lecture by Dr David King, Friday school tours and Saturday public tours of the Crater.

Dr. King will conduct a free public lecture on the science of the Crater on Thursday, January 30th at 7:00 pm in the Wetumpka Civic Center, Main Street, Wetumpka. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about how scientists have proven the size and scope of the impact and get an update on Dr King’s most recent research.

The Friday, January 31st tours will be open to a limited number of school students on a first reserved basis. Teachers can call the number below for information.

On Saturday, February 1st, the Crater Tours will be held hourly on starting at 9:00am, with van transportation provided. The tour is divided into two parts, first, a lecture explanation and information, followed by the van tour. Total cost of both parts of the tour including a guidebook is $20 for adults, $10 for children up to 12, accompanied by an adult. (Not recommended for very small children.) You can attend only the lecture and the charge is $5, with children up to age 12, admitted free. Guidebooks can be purchased for $5, if available.

Lectures begin at 9:00am, 10:00am, 11:00am & 12:30pm. The van tours will load immediately following the lecture. Van tour space is very limited and must be reserved before January 20th. Participants need to meet at the Wetumpka Civic Center on Main Street, 15 minutes prior to their tour time. Reservations are required.

For additional information and reservations, contact Tiffany Robinson at 567-5147 or e-mail trobinson@cityofwetumpka.com