An Astrobleme
As far as impressive landmarks go, the Vredefort Dome undoubtedly kicks the Eiffel Tower’s butt. It may not have been crafted by a famous engineer, but the colossal meteorite that struck Planet Earth here two billion years ago formed a crater large enough for the area to be declared a World Heritage site.
The two-billion-year-old Vredefort Dome - part of a larger meteorite impact structure, a.k.a as an astrobleme - was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2005. Dating back 2 023 million years, the Dome is the oldest astrobleme still visible on earth and the site of the world’s greatest known single-energy release when a meteorite as big as Table Mountain struck the earth. It caused devastating global change, including, according to some scientists, major evolutionary changes.
Parys performs the balancing act peculiar to contemporary boere-dorps, and is poised somewhere between earthy, arty and kitsch. But if you’re into outdoor action, this village next to the Vredefort Dome rates as red-hot property. It is bang on all the tourist routes cruising the Vaal River, with a host of delis, antique shops and organic eateries lining the laid-back streets
It is, however, the Vaal River and nearby Dome Conservancy which lure adventurers to the area. The Vredefort Dome, a good 200 billion years old, was created when a giant meteorite struck the earth to create a shallow crater nearly 200 km across, and in the process shaped a fresh air arena of note. If you plan a visit here, you had better make sure you pack ALL your toys.