Daniel Moreau Barringer

views updated

Daniel Moreau Barringer

1860-1929

American mining engineer and geologist best known for investigating the Diablo Crater in Arizona. Approximately 600 feet (183 m) deep and over 4,000 feet (1,219 m) in diameter, the crater's origin was a matter of much speculation, most believing it volcanic in nature. However, based on his discovery of numerous nickel-iron rocks at the site, Barringer believed it was in fact a meteor impact crater. He drilled for, but never found, meteorite remains. The site is now known as the Barringer Meteor Crater.