GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — A new destination of interest for both tourists and residents of the Graaff-Reinet area is the Kalkkop crater on the farm Bulrivier near Kendrew.
Kalkkop is a lonely, low limestone hill among the sandstones and mudstones of the Karoo, approximately 70km south of Graaff-Reinet.
In aerial photos from the 1940s, it was spotted that the hill is a perfectly circular white deposit, approximately 640m in diameter, and hence it was thought to be a crater of volcanic origin. In 1947 a mining company drilled a borehole on Kalkkop that revealed it contains remarkably pure limestone down to a depth of about 90 metres. Below that lie fragmented, but typical Karoo rocks.
That the Kalkkop is actually a meteor impact crater was not suspected at that stage.
In 1992 another borehole was sunk in the centre of the Kalkkop crater to a depth of 152m. Drilling was suspended for a while and later extended to 380m. The drill core revealed that below the limestone lie breccias, rocks made up of angular fragments of pre-existing rocks, a unique characteristic of impacted rock, thus confirming it as an impact crater. It is one of only three confirmed impact craters found in South Africa.
About 250 000 years ago, a meteorite of about 20m wide hit the Karoo plains and formed a bowl-shaped crater about 110m deep crater, with a diameter of 640m. Today, only a weathered circular ridge is left visible on the surface, since a shallow pool of brackish water formed inside of it over the years. After the water evaporated, all that was left was limestone and gradually each layer of limestone filled the crater, making it an almost insignificant hill, about 3m high.
Bulrivier is owned by Jurgen and Jenell Smith, and this year they decided after much interest had been shown in the crater, to open it “officially” to the public. The Smiths have been farming on the 5 000ha farm for seven generations, with game, ostriches, irrigation, as well as livestock, such as angora, merino, boerbok and cattle. The original farmhouse was built in 1833, and can also be visited.
As well as exploring the crater, visitors can enjoy game drives, hiking, stargazing and swimming. There are camping facilities and farm-style bed and breakfast for those who would like to stay on the farm.
Last week, the farm was visited by the helicopter pilot from Flight Karoo and his assistant, who are scouting interesting areas to fly over with tourists visiting Graaff-Reinet. Most local residents will probably be content to drive there, but it is exciting to see this new venture taking off.
The entry fee of R50 per person (children under 12 free) includes a 4x4 guided tour.
To make an appointment or obtain more information, contact Jurgen Smith Jnr on 072 956 3967 or email jurg9@live.co.za.
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