Top 10 Largest Impact Structures on Earth

10.Kara Crater

Kara is a large impact crater found in the Yugorsky Peninsula, Russia. It is estimated to be about 65km (40.3mi) in diameter and over 70 million years old. The crater is originally believed to have been over 120km (74.5mi) in diameter, but much of it has eroded away and the rest has been covered with millions of years’ worth of sedimentary layers, leaving no evidence of its existence on the surface.

9.Morokweng crater

Morokweng crater, or Morkweng impact structure, is a large meteor impact crater found buried beneath the Kalahari Desert, near the town of Morokweng in South Africa. The crater is said to have been formed by a 3km (1.8mi) diameter asteroid, and caused a crater at least 70km (43.8mi) in diameter. In 2006, a group of scientists drilling into the site discovered a 25cm (9.8in) diameter fragment of the original asteroid, at a depth of about 770m (842yards) below the surface. Several smaller pieces were also discovered on the vicinity. This discovery was very unusual, as drilling on large impact structures had never produced such fragments, and it had previously been believed that all large asteroids vaporized almost entirely on impact.

8.Puchezh-Katunki

Puchezh-Katunki is a meteor crater in the Chkalousky District, in Russia. The crater is 80km (49.7mi) in diameter and is an estimated 167 million years old, placing it in the Jurassic era. The crater does not lie exposed at the surface but appears as variations in vegetation and terrain. This crater is one of the only craters of the time frame, which is not associated with extinction.

7.Acraman crater

Acraman crater is a deeply eroded impact crater in the south of Australia. Its location is marked by Lake Acraman, which is a perfectly round lake which formed at the impact site. The crater is estimated 90km (55.9mi) in diameter and is estimated to have occurred about 580 million years ago. The large size estimate would imply an energy release on par with 5.2 x 106 megatons of TNT. Evidence of a huge collision can be found as far as 300km (186.4mi) east of the crater.

6.Chesapeake bay impact crater

Chesapeake Bay impact crater was formed by a bolide (crater forming projectile) that hit the eastern shore of North America about 85 million years ago. It forms one of the best preserved “wet” craters, and is the largest crater in the United States, and comes to about 90km (55.9mi) in diameter. The build-up of sediments over the rubble of the crater has formed Chesapeake bay as it is known today. The initial impact caused great devastation, as within seconds of the impact, millions of liters of water, sediment and broken rock was sent miles into the atmosphere. On the descent it created a tsunami that was so large and powerful that it possibly covered the Blue Ridge Mountain range.

5.Popigai Crater

Popigai crater in Siberia, Russia, comes in tied with Manicouagan crater, as the 4th largest verified impact crater on earth, and it is just about 100km (62mi) in diameter. The bolide impact happened over 35 million years ago. Geologists were fascinated by the Popigai crater for decades before any investigatory expeditions where under taken, as the entire area was off limits due to diamond mining in the area. Finally, in 1997, investigations were under way. The bolide was identified as either an 8km (5mi) diameter chondrite asteroid, or a 5km (3.1mi) diameter stony asteroid. It was discovered that the shock pressure from the initial impact instantaneously turned graphite all along the ground, within a 13.6km (8.4mi) diameter of the impact site, into diamonds.

4.Manicouagan Crater

Manicouagan Crater is one of the oldest impact craters on earth, and is situated in the Cote-Nord region in Quebec, Canada. It is estimated to have been created over 215 million years ago, by a 5km (3.1mi) diameter asteroid. The crater is a 100km (60mi) diameter, multi ringed structure, with the most prominent feature being a circular lake, about 70km (43.4mi) in diameter. This crater also forms the largest in an array of craters believed to be a multiple impact event.

3.Chicxulub Crater

Chicxulub Crater is a huge ancient crater, buried underneath Yucatan Peninsula, in Mexico. The crater is more than 180km (110mi) in diameter, making it the 3rd largest confirmed impact structure on earth. The impacting bolide that formed the crater had to have been at least 10km (6mi) in diameter. The age of the rocks show that the impact structure is roughly 65 million years old, and falls right at the end of the cretaceous period. After almost 20 years of research, on all fields, scientists have concluded that the impact at Chicxulub triggered the mass extinction at the K-T boundary, including those of the dinosaurs between the cretaceous and tertiary periods.

2.Sudbury Basin

Sudbury basin, or Sudbury structure, is a huge impact structure in Ontario, Canada. It is the second largest confirmed impact crater, as well as one of the oldest.
The original crater is believed to have been a lot larger than the current 200km (120mi) diameter crater that is there today. They believe that the bolide that created the crater was over 10km (6.2mi) in diameter, and struck the earth 1.849 billion years ago. The impact was so intense that it scattered debris over a 1,600,000km2 area around the point of impact. Rock fragments from the impact have been found in Minnesota, over 800km (497mi) away.

1.Vredefort dome

Vredefort crater, or dome, is the largest verified impact crater on earth, and can be found around the town of Vredefort in the Free State Province of South Africa. The asteroid that hit Vredefort is estimated to be the largest to hit earth in the last 4 billion years, and was over 15km (9.3mi) in diameter. The resulting crater is just over 300km (186.4mi) in diameter, and its huge size has earned it a title as a world heritage site. It was originally thought that the dome was caused by volcanic eruptions, but in 1990 it was declared that a huge bolide caused the impact structure, as tell-tale shatter cones could be found for miles around. The crater is currently under threat due to the possibility of mineral deposits around the edges, which could result in huge mining industries, destroying a part of this marvel.

Top 10 Most Expensive Paintings in The World Ever Sold

10. Irises by Vincent Van Gogh : $53,900,000

Vincent van Gogh painted this at Saint Paul de Mausole, Saint-Remy-de-Povence, France, in 1889, 1 year before his death. In 1987, this painting is the most expensive painting at the time, when sold for $ 53.9 million to Alan Bond. Finally then sold again to the Getty Museum in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, United States.

Irises by Vincent Van Gogh

9. Femme aux Bras Croises by Pablo Picasso: $55,006,000

This painting was painted in 1901 by Pablo Picasso, the days of “Blue Period” (1901-1904), during which Picasso had “darkness” and the sadness in his life. The beauty and blue in his paintings at that time is dominant. This painting sold for 55 million US dollars at auction at Christie’s Rockefeller, New York in December 8th 2000.

Femme aux Bras Croises by Pablo Picasso

8. Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier by Paul Cezanne: $60,502,500

This painting was painted by Paul Cezanne in 1893-1894 period. Sold at auction in Sotheby’s, New York, at a price of $ 60.5 million on May 10, 1999. The buyer is Whitneys family. Whitney, who was born from a wealthy family, is a project financier, publisher, Hollywood film producer, and a philanthropist.

Rideau, Cruchon et Compotier by Paul Cezanne

7. Portrait de l’Artiste Sans Barbe By Vincent Van Gogh: $71,502,496

This painting is one of the many self-portrait of Dutch painter, Vincent van Gogh. He painted it in September 1889 in Saint Remy Provence, France. This oil painting measures 40 cm x 31 cm. This self-portrait was painted without beard, not like the paintings of other self portrait that always there’s no beard. This self-portrait became one of the world’s most expensive painting when it sold in 1998 in New York with the price of U.S. $ 71.5 million.

Portrait de l'Artiste Sans Barbe by Vincent Van Gogh

6. Massacre of the Innocents By Peter Paul Rubens: $ 76,700,000 

Painted by Peter Paul Rubens, in the year 1611. This painting sold for $76.7 million at Sotheby’s auction in 2002 with the buyer named Kenneth Thomson, one of the richest businessman in Canada also British royal anchestor and a collector of paintings.

Massacre of the Innocents by Peter Paul Rubens

5. Bal Au Moulin de la Gallet By Pierre-Auguste Renoir: $ 78,000,000

Painted by French painter, Pierre Auguste Renoir in 1876. On May 17, 1990, the painting was sold for $ 78 million in Sotheby’s auction, purchased by Ryoei Saito who bought Vincent van Gogh “Portrait of Dr. Gachet” painting as well.

Bal Au Moulin de la Gallet

4. Portrait of Dr Gachet by Vincent van Gogh: $82,500,000

The painting that painted by this impressionis Dutch painter suddenly became famous in the world when a Japanese businessman named Ryoei Saito bought it for $ 82.5 million in Christie’s auction place, New York. Saito was so loved with this painting, so he wanted to be cremated with this picture when he later died. Saito died in 1996 but the picture remains safe, did not cremated with him.
Vincent van Gogh self portrait of Dr. Gachet’s have 2 versions, other versions are in the museums of Paris and very different color paintings owned by Saito.

Portrait of Dr Gachet by Vincent Van Gogh

3. Dora with Cat By Pablo Picasso: $95,200.000 

Painted by Pablo Picasso in 1941. This self-portrait painting caused controversy, because one thinks that this picture describes her lover, Dora Maar, a photographer artist who became Picasso’s girlfriend for 10 years (1930 -1940). This painting sold for $ 95.2 million  in the auction at Sotheby’s, dated May 3rd, 2006.

Dora with Cat by Pablo Picasso

2. Garcon a la Pipe By Pablo Picasso: $ 104,100,000

This 100 x 81.3 cm dimension oil painting, is the work of Pablo Picasso (Spanish nationality). It depicts a boy of the city of Paris holding the pipe in his right hand. Painted in the “Rose Period” (1904-1906), during which Picasso paintings and brightly patterned predominantly orange and pink color. This painting is not fashionable “cubist” like others paintings of Picasso. Sold for $ 104.1 millions at Sotheby’s auction in New York, May 4th, 2004.

Garcon a la Pipe by Pablo Picasso

1. Portrait of Adele Bloch-Baeur By Gustav Klimt: $135,000,000

Painted in 1907 by the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt. This painting had confiscated by the Nazi Germany when the Nazis occupied Austria. In 2006, a cosmetics entrepreneur named Ronard S. Lauder, bought the painting for $ 135 millions. The painting was later exhibited in his gallery, the Neue Galerie, New York.

Portrait of Adele Bloch Baeur

World’s Top 10 Most Expensive Liquors

10. $5,000 – Courvoisier L’Esprit Decanter

Made from a variety of blends, some which date back to Napoleon I, Courvoisier’s L’Esprit is smoky and rich, with fragrances of cinnamon and dried apricot flowers. The flavor is initially powerful but has a mellow aftertaste.

9. $5,500 – Jenssen Arcana

Aged 98 years in Oak barrels, Jenssen’s Arcana is powerful, “extraordinarily ”
concentrated and only bottled, sealed and certified upon request.

8. $6,000 – Hine Triomphe Talent De Thomas Hine Crystal Decanter

Each bottle of Hine’s high-end Talent de Thomas is bottled in a
Baccarat decanter and placed within an actual cigar humidor made from
Maccasar ebony and Honduran Mahogany which helps preserve
the spirit’s

7. $6,400 – Frapin Cuvée 1888

A rare blend of Cognacs from Frapin’s reserves, the Cuvée is bottled
beneath a 24-karat gold stopper in a twisty crystal decanter
that looks like a prop from a community Shakespeare staging.
Flowery flavors combine with sweet spices, honey and toasted
vanilla notes.

6. $7,500 – Martell Creation Cognac In Handcarved Baccarat Decanter

Martell’s rare cognac is a “reinterpretation ” of a batch first casked at the
start of the 19th century. The Grand Extra has a soft flavor
that starts as dried fruit and marmalade and fades into notes of walnuts
and cedarwood.

5. $7,900 – Le Voyage de Delamain

A blend of cognacs from Delamain, Le Voyage was bottled in 500 crystal decanters, most of which were quickly bought
or reserved by eager collectors. It’s rumored to have a complex taste that fades from Russian leather to tobacco, coffee and Eastern spices.

4. $12,900 – Hardy Perfection 140 years Cognac

Supposedly the “World’s oldest known unblended cognac,” this offering
from Hardy was limited to 300 Daum crystal decanters.
It’s an exceedingly rare cognac that is said to taste of coffee, chocolate
and oak.

3. $55,000 – Remy Martin Cognac Black Pearl Louis XIII

When you swish Remy Martin’s deep amber-colored Black Pearl
Louis XIII around in your mouth,
you’re actually tasting 1,200 40 to 100-year old cognacs blended together.
The swill is said to smell of flowers, fruits and spices,
it’s flavor a mixture of ginger, cinnamon and Cuban cigars.

2. $200,000 – Hennessy Beaute du Siecle Cognac

Insert a bronze key, turn, and Hennessy’s Baccarat crystal-bottled
Beaute du Siecle rises up on a tray.
Housed in a melted aluminum and mirrored glass case this mixture is
blended from Hennessy’s reserves of 47 to 100-year-old cognacs.

1. $2 million – Henri IV, Cognac Grande Champagne

An elixir mixed since 1776 by the direct descendants of King Henri IV,each batch of Henri IV Dudognon Heritage is aged in a barrel for more
than 100 years and capped inside a 24-karat gold-dipped and 6,500
diamond-bejeweled bottle .

Top New CAR MODELs Launches 2011

Pls find the new launches which are in anvil for the year 2011....!!

The new 2011 Ford Fiesta, here is the same one that is available all over the world now.



Engine configurations :  Ford Fiesta in India would get two new engines. It is also said that the existing engines wouldn’t be offered for the new Fiesta,
1.6 liter petrol engine, It now makes 120 Bhp of peak power and is mated with a 5 speed manual transmission. The reason for the increase in power is by the use of variable valve timing.
The diesel version is rumored to be a 1.6 liter motor producing 90 Bhp. It will also have a 5 speed manual transmission. An automatic is also said to be on the anvil.
Top speed would also be in the region of 180 kmph

The all New Toyota Corolla Altis


This face-lift will give Corolla Altis a new lease of life and it is expected that it will help in booting the sales of the car. The top model of 2011 new Corolla Altis features alloy wheels, rear spoiler, front fog lights, rear fog lights and chrome finish front grille.
Engine configuration
The petrol mill is 1794cc 4 cylinder one which generates maximum power of 138 Bhp with maximum torque of 173 Nm. The diesel new Corolla Altis is powered by 1364cc which generates maximum power of 87 Bhp and maximum torque of 205 Nm.


Chevrolet Sail



This would be based on a completely new platform and is the first GM car is been built with its Chinese collaboration with SAIC. It would be positioned above the Chevrolet Aveo-UVA and would compete with the other mini hatches namely the Hyundai I20, Skoda Fabia, Volkswagen Polo and the Maruti Ritz. It would have a petrol motor for starters and then later on a diesel would be launched as well

Fiat Bravo



The lone engine on offer would be a high tech 1.9 liter turbocharged one. This is one of those mini hatches which has earned Fiat a world wide acclaim. Blessed with Italian drop dead looks,
this is the elder brother of the Fiat Punto. It would offer class leading space and interior features

Honda Brio



It has got a 1.2 liter engine which would be good enough for 70 Bhp. Most likely, it would be the Honda Jazz’s unit in a detuned state. There would be enough space in this small car compared to the others in its class. It would be ducked within the 4 meters mark and the 1.2 liter petrol would be the only engine option available. There would be an automatic variant as well.

Hyundai Avante



This car may or may not be renamed for the Indian market. If at all, it would be renamed, the new name would be Hyundai Avante. For starters, it would be available with only a 2 liter CRDI diesel engine pumping out 158 bhp and would be a tough competition for the Chevrolet Cruze.


Mahindra New Mini Xylo



Much awaited min Xylo- 5 seater.

The Top 10 Best Waterfalls of the World

10. SUTHERLAND FALLS [Fiordland, New Zealand]

Sutherland Falls is New Zealand's mightiest waterfall.
In a country that holds a special place in our hearts, this gorgeous 580m waterfall is easily New Zealand's most spectacular waterfall and makes our list. Given its remote location deep in the wild and beautiful Fiordland National Park (also a World Heritage Area), it's one of many highlights of the Milford Track - said to be one of the finest walks in the world. 

9.Dettifoss

It is Europe's most powerfull waterfall sending glacial meltwaters over its 44m precipice unchecked at a flow of around 500 cubic meters per second. It epitomizes the wild and raw Icelandic Nature and is a favorite amongst Icelandic Nature lovers. Its position at the head of the impressive Jökulsárgljúfur (the Icelandic version of the Grand Canyon) surrounded by three other major waterfalls on the same river makes it a no-brainer for this to make our Top 10 Waterfalls List.

8. GULLFOSS [Haukadalur, Iceland]

One of the more unique waterfalls you'll ever see in the world, this wild and wide waterfall tumbling on the Hvítá River in two tiers at 90 degree angles to each other is one of Iceland's iconic natural attractions. Part of the Golden Circle of Iceland's main attractions in the Southwest, this is a must on anyone's itinerary. In addition to the falls' unique shape, you can see rainbows arcing over the falls when your timing's right and the weather cooperates.

7. KAIETEUR FALLS [Potaro River, Guyana]

Said to be one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in the world, this rectangular-shaped monster (said to be 741ft tall 370ft wide) sits atop the ancient Guyana Shield amidst some of the most pristine rainforest left on earth! Indeed a visit to this world wonder can yield rare wildlife settings as well as the reassurance that there are still places on the planet where nature is still allowed to thrive. Thus, Julie and I had to make room for this waterfall on our Top 10 List!

6. YOSEMITE FALLS [California, USA]

Even though this waterfall doesn't flow year round, it does flow for a good part of the year and it's one of the tallest in the world at 2425ft. It's the crown jewel of attractions in the incomparable Yosemite Valley and it's easily seen from a multitude of viewpoints and trails. So given its ease of access, scenery, and sheer size, this waterfall makes our Top 10 Waterfalls List. 

5. ANGEL FALLS (SALTO ÁNGEL) [Canaima, Venezuela]

Plunging uninterrupted for 807m (with total drop of 979m) from a mystical tabletop mountain (tepuy) deep in a Venezuelan equatorial rainforest, it is widely acknowledged as the tallest permanent waterfall in the world. Its existence defies logic as its source is nothing but the soggy cloud forest on the plateau of the tepuy. No doubt about it, there's nothing like this waterfall and the adventure to even get to this so-called Lost World (Mundo Perdido) for a chance to see this world wonder is sure to leave you with a lasting impression.

4. PLITVICE WATERFALLS [Northern Dalmatia, Croatia]

When it comes to the overall waterfalling experience, it's hard to beat this world famous attraction. While the rest of the waterfalls on our Top 10 List are primarily singular waterfall attractions, this one is really a network of countless waterfalls (some of which are impressive enough to stand out on their own). The waterfalls themselves segregate the many clear and colorful lakes that bring life to this lush and protected ecosystem. Plus, you have boardwalks that take you under, over, and around almost all of the notable waterfalls for some of the most intimate waterfalling experiences to be had. Add it all up, putting these waterfalls on this list was an absolute no-brainer as far as Julie and I were concerned. 

3. NIAGARA FALLS [Ontario, Canada/New York, USA]

Easily the most famous waterfall in North America, this powerful waterfall also ranks as the biggest one by volume with a whopping average of about 750,000 gallons per second (2.8 million Liters per second)! In addition to its raw power, the falls is easily one of the easiest to access and view from all sorts of angles. While its surroundings are a bit less naturesque for many, it clearly makes the upper tier of our list of Top 10 Waterfalls. 

2. VICTORIA FALLS (MOSI-OA-TUNYA) [Livingstone, Zambia/Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe]

Easily deserving of the top spot on this list (though it finished a very close second), it's the largest singular waterfall in the world spanning a width of 1.7km, a height of 108m, and an average flow of 1 million liters per second! It's no wonder this "smoke that thunders" is considered one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Indeed, it's got power, beauty, and it will make you humble and awestruck. 

1. IGUAZU FALLS (IGUASSU FALLS) [Puerto Iguazú, Argentina/Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil]

With its brink spanning a distance of an incredible 2km in its average flow of 1.3 million liters per second, this falls tops our list of favorites. The falls actually consists of some 275 individual waterfalls and cascades. Catwalks make it easy to get closeup and intimate views and the rainforest surroundings make the scenery feel right for a natural attraction such as this. Put it all together and Julie and I believe this falls is heads and shoulders above the rest (except Victoria Falls) that we've seen!

10 Things That Will Make You Feel Old

1. Windows XP was released TEN years ago, in 2001.

2. The “new” Millennium is more than a decade old.

 

3. Pierce Brosnan last acted as James Bond 9 years ago.

4. It’s been 10 years since 9/11

 

5. The Matrix came out 12 years ago, Keanu Reeves is 46 today

6. Macaulay Culkin is 30 today. “Home Alone” came out over 20 years ago.

7. Terminator 2 is 20 years old. Edward Furlong who portrayed kid John Connoris 33 now.

8. The first Harry Potter book came out when I was in High School. 14 years ago!

9. Remember these Guys?

10. Arnold Schwarzenegger is older than India. He was born in June 1947