Meteorites, gigantic rocks that fall from space, are one of Mother Nature’s most visceral and impactful mysteries. Science fiction across the ages has attempted to capture the true potential of what damage these giant, flying objects can inflict. Dr. Kevin Evans, professor of geology at Missouri State University, has quite a bit to say on the subject of meteorite impacts.

Evans discovered an impact site in Missouri that was much bigger than he could have possibly imagined. This site, the Weaubleau impact structure, is one of three in Missouri. The mystery surrounding these craters is whether they may be part of one large serial impact, a term used for multiple impacts from broken fragments of the same meteorite.

Evans has devoted much of his career to the discovery of meteor impact sites on Earth. Through all of his travels and research, he was eventually led back to his home state of Missouri. Professor by day and space-rock researcher by night, Evans has recently come across an incredible discovery about impact structures in Missouri.

“There is one layer, it’s maybe four feet thick and made out of clay,” said Evans about the Weaubleau impact structure. “It’s like if you have ever watched a dog chasing a ball and he hits the rug and slides out; rocks can do that too. Rocks can slide, and rocks can get folded.”