"There were 3 theories. One of legend, one of incompetent discovery and the facts, recent facts I might add, discovered by myself of course. One thing for sure, it's amazing how accurate the legend was, despite the best efforts of those 19th century... 'scientists'."

I was talking to Dr. Bernard Joburg of the Rjúfa Crater Geological Insititute during my prospecting tour of the northern Hinterland, seeking my fortune in iron where other men feared to tread. For I am an intrepid adventurer, the entrepreneurial kind, and they, well... they are soft. Armchair bound and gorged on easy profit.

"I'll start with the second theory, based on incompetence, because it's easily dismissed. We know the area was featureless because the stratum beneath the plains is dead flat. Our 'scientists' proposed that the ranges, as well as the strange mounds and lake formations in the north had to be the result of a large, ancient volcano. This area of the hemisphere is geologically volatile so it might easily have been a reasonable explanation. Accordingly the central crater was never evident because it had collapsed and erosion had done the rest. What was never explained was the composition of limestone where granite remnants should exist. We also had out-of-place structures in the ocean to the south unless we believe, as was originally proposed, there was a second, much larger volcano prior to this one. It's completely ridiculous of course. The crater is officially named Rjúfa Crater by the way. An interesting nomenclature for a 'volcano' don't you think? Perhaps more apt than they realised."

"If I go back to the first 'theory', Norse legend, and it seems quite a lot of local variation, the landscape was the result of Thor's anger. Apparently he smashed Mjolnir down in a fit of rage, due to some argument with Loki presumably. There is even a town in the central Hinterland south of the ranges called Skrymir because as legend has it, it was unconcerned by Thors' hammer. The irony is how this 'theory' was in fact much closer to the truth than our earlier scientists were. I've even nicknamed the area Thors' Legacy and when I explain what actually happened you'll find it quite fitting." he whispered conspirationally.

Dr. Joburg went on. "I had heard a rumour, that during the mid 19th century, while prospecting for oil to fuel the machines of the industrial revolution, geologists happened upon vast quantities of iron they never thought possible given the regions' geology. There were even stories of coal deposits, normally found deep in the Earths' surface, literally sitting on top of the ground. I ventured north, seeking answers for the anomalies, and discovered that a volcano was not responsible at all, as those... 'scientists' were claiming. It was in fact a meteorite impact crater of immense proportions, date as yet undetermined. The limestone and gypsum mountain substrate, being so soft, was easily eroded and the distinctive shape they might have expected from an impact, had they even thought of it, was never obvious."

"I first had to prove the contradiction of limestone mountains being a result of a volcano and I certainly did that. This place never grew up and eroded from the top, it was bulldozed up and out from beneath. Smashed out is probably even more appropriate. I've since proposed a relatively angular trajectory because it explains the existence and composition of the southern islands as well." explains Dr. Joburg. "Millions of tonnes of debris, some pieces probably larger than the mountains themselves, were literally blasted up and out of the plains before falling kilometres away from the impact zone, a bit like stabbing at pebbles with your foot. Skrymir, as per the localised legend, would have been underneath the airborne debris and remained undisturbed, geologically speaking anyway. It's fascinating to think what this must have looked and felt like." he ventured. "I'm almost certain this was a semi-global extinction event and I can only wonder how long the effects of the ensuing debris winter would have lasted".

"Did you know," he went on... and on... " the crater is more than than 50 kilometres wide although we can only see the southern rim, about 18 kilometres of it. The visible debris field is some 15-20 kilometres, all mainly to the south. There's probably much more hidden below the ocean depths. I'm launching an expedition very soon actually; to prove it of course, as any good scientist is expected. After all, we must get our science right mustn't we? And no, this crater doesn't look much like the wonderful Arizona Crater and nor should it, soft geocomposition and high rainfall has made sure of that."

By now my eyes had glazed over and I started to say "Fascinating, but could you tell..." before I was cut off.

"But you know, the impact, my discovery, has bought many benefits to the locals." said Dr. Joburg, perhaps sensing my impatience to be off, "Not only did it reveal coal deposits and oil, the meteorite left vast quantites of iron ore more readily obtainable here than anywhere else in the northern hemisphere. ("That's why I'm here," I reminded myself, "I care little for space rocks or legends.").

Dr. Joburg continued. "A recent study even suggests the fertile lands to the south, all the way to Sleipnir Field, were created as a direct result of the massive amounts of debris blown out by the meteorite. The forestry and farming districts have thrived and several large towns have existed in the region for hundreds of years because this place is as flat as a checker board and highly fertile, due mostly to the soft friable limestone and high rainfall. If you're in to that kind of thing, you could say that what Thor began, God finished. Problem is though, in more recent times, with the opening up of the rugged wild lands of the north, the burgeoning mineral extraction industry has had to compete for road and rail access with tourism, of all things, and even my job is all the more difficult for it." Joburg laughed "Thor and God were obviously poor economists."

"The opportunity for development, extraction of natural resources and even value-added production are extremely good but the area is in need of some leadership for that to happen. The north west is just too rugged for concentrated habitation but it's begging for exploitation. Unfortunately, that's not my speciality. Do you know anyone?"

With that, Dr. Joburg turned and walked away, looking longingly at the heavens, perhaps hoping to see an actual impact. As if. "Be sure to visit the town of Joburg Mound when you head north, I'm positive the mound is the 'epicentre' as it were. A bit like my scientific expertise." he chuckles over his shoulder. "It's the second town I've named after myself. I discovered another much smaller impact crater in the Whiplash region too, Joburg Crater..."

"Modest man," I thought, "but modesty and leadership are not ingredients needed here. We'll need many millions in hard currency and some good ol' fashioned engineering..."