Meteorite, energy and a giant crater: understand how Serra da Cangalha emerged in TO Hidden in the north of Tocantins, in the municipality of Campos Lindos, a monumental geological structure keeps records of a cataclysmic event that occurred around 300 million years ago. The impact caused by the fall of a meteorite weighing approximately 20 thousand tons formed what we now know as Serra da Cangalha, the fourth largest impact crater in Brazil. What makes the place even more curious is that, according to geological studies, the meteorite never even touched the ground. The crater was shaped by the colossal release of energy generated during the explosion. "It fell apart before it even touched the ground, but it released an enormous amount of energy that deformed the rocks that make up the Parnaíba Sedimentary Basin", explained geologist and professor at the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT), Fernando de Morais. The force was so intense that it created concentric rings in the relief, visible to this day in satellite images, like the waves formed when a stone is thrown into a river. ? Click here to follow the g1 TO channel on WhatsApp The popular name "Cangalha" arose from the observation of residents of the region. Seen from the side, the formation of the mountain resembles a horse's saddle, also known as a saddle. Although the name is not an official scientific name, it was consolidated due to local tradition and culture. READ ALSO: 'I lived to take care of people', says daughter of a 69-year-old woman who died in an accident on BR-010 in TO R$1.4 billion gold mine in Tocantins opens registration for suppliers Redemoinhos are registered in Palmas; see why this phenomenon appears more frequently in this period Serra da Cangalha has one of the largest craters in Brazil Reproduction/Campos Lindos City Hall Geological monument and tourism The structure was identified in the 1970s by the Radam Brasil Project, but was initially classified only as a dome. Only after analyzing deformed rocks did researchers confirm that it was an impact crater. Today, Serra da Cangalha is considered a geological monument with great potential for geotourism. In 2012, Iphan even studied the transformation of the area into a national heritage site, but the process did not progress. Serra da Cangalha in Tocantins Reproduction/ Googe According to Mayor Romeu Kalugin (Republicans), the site is one of the few impact craters of this size on the planet that remain 100% preserved by nature. "The only one completely preserved by nature is ours. It maintains the exact location of the meteorite's impact, something that arouses curiosity as to where it is presented," he said. The mayor also stated that municipal management works in partnership with area owners to facilitate access to the site and encourage projects that attract tourists to the interior of the crater. "The goal is to place Campos Lindos on the definitive route for those who visit Tocantins in search of mystery, science and landscapes that do not exist anywhere else in the country", he highlighted. Serra da Cangalha offers the practice of geotourism, allowing visitors to follow trails and get to know up close the phenomenon that shaped the landscape millions of years ago. Currently, the region attracts tourists interested in trails, waterfalls and unique experiences, such as: Trails in the rings: 3 km walks that take tourists from the second ring to the center of the impact. Waterfalls and Caves: Waterfalls inside the crater and the recently discovered "Meteor Cave". Paramotor Flight: Overflights that guarantee a privileged view of the size of the "hole" left by the car's energy. Pebble that suffered fracture with the energy dissipated in the fall of the meteorite and coin that is used to give an idea of size Disclosure/Fernando de Morais Ranking of the largest craters in Brazil Araguainha Dome (GO/MT): 40 km Praia Grande oceanic crater (SP): 20 km São Miguel do Tapuio (PI): 17.5 km Serra da Cangalha (TO): 13.7 km Vargeão Dome (SC): 11 km Vista Alegre (PR): 9.5 km Cerro do Jarau (RS): 5.5 km Anel do Riachão (MA): 4.5 km Crater forms a unique landscape at sunrise Reproduction/Campos Lindos City Hall See more news from the region on g1 Tocantins.