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Pseudotachylite thin section of the VREDEFORT impact structure.

the Vredefort impact structure is the largest verified impact structure on Earth. The crater, which has since been eroded away, was around 180–300 km (100–200 mi) across when it was formed The remaining structure, comprising the deformed underlying bedrock, is located in present-day Free State province of South Africa. It is named after the town of Vredefort, which is near its centre. The structure's central uplift is known as the Vredefort Dome.

The impact structure was formed during the Paleoproterozoic Era, 2.023 billion (± 4 million) years ago. It is the second-oldest known impact structure on Earth, after Yarrabubba.