Wetumpka Structure, Alabama

Steven Dutch, Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
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The Wetumpka Impact Structure, Alabama, is a small Tertiary structure just north of Montgomery. A casual visit will quickly show an unusual disturbance of the rocks but little obvious evidence of impact. The upturned Paleozoic rocks look at first glance like any other tectonic uplift. Brecciation is not widespread and the mapped breccia bodies are not easily accessible by road. The most obvious field evidence suggesting impact is the circular plan of the structure; laboratory petrographic studies confirm it.

 

Below: the structure (yellow) is just east of the town of Wetumpka on the opposite side of the Coosa River. U.S. 231 runs along the northwest margin of the structure.

 

Below: the northern half of the structure is clearly visible in topography and stream patterns.

	Left and below: Tilted Paleozoic rocks along U.S. Highway 231
	Tilted Paleozoic rocks along U.S. Highway 231. What appears to be an overturn at the top is actually due to the way the cut is beveled; the rocks are actually uniformly dipping.
	Brecciated and deformed sandstone in the interior of the structure
	Brecciated and deformed sandstone in the interior of the structure
	View northwest off the rim of the Wetumpka structure
	View from Wetumpka across the Coosa River to the rim of the Wetumpka structure.
	View from Wetumpka across the Coosa River to the rim of the Wetumpka structure.

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Created 14 July 2003, Last Update 17 November 2011

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