Or did it? Although it was reported as a meteor strike, that doesn't look like an impact crater to me. And then there are the reports of 200 people becoming ill after breathing toxic fumes from the site. I think it's more likely an underground gas eruption, and apparently I'm not alone in this speculation.
As the Daily Mail reports:
Scientists from San Andres University in La Paz said analysis of sand samples from the crater showed it could be a meteorite which was blasted to dust by the impact.
However, other meteor experts are unconvinced. Dr Caroline Smith of the Natural History Museum in London, said: "It's the third incident like this in Peru in the last few years - and none have turned out to be meteorites.
"It's far more likely to have a been caused by the explosion of gases that build up naturally under the ground.
"In that part of Peru, you might get a build up of methane or hydrogen sulphide, both of which have an eggy smell and which could cause health problems."
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