Evidence of the largest meteorite ever to hit the British Isles was discovered in Northern Scotland by scientists from the University of Oxford and the University of Aberdeen. Their findings were published this week in the journal Geology.

Unusual rock formations in Ullapool Scotland, once thought to be formed by volcanic activity, are now identified as impact pieces from a meteorite that hit the Earth 1.2 billion years ago.  

Oxford University scientists found high concentrations of iridium, the key element in meteoritic material, in surface rocks in the area. They also discovered microscopic fractures that imply a meteoric impact. 

The discovery has answered some puzzling questions for scientists who believed the rock formations were of volcanic origin. No volcanic vents or other volcanic traces were ever found to prove the theory.