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Impact Craters

Impact Craters. Impact Craters. Impact cratering is the dominant geologic process that alters the solid surfaces of bodies throughout the solar system.

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Impact Craters

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  1. Impact Craters

  2. Impact Craters • Impact cratering is the dominant geologic process that alters the solid surfaces of bodies throughout the solar system. • Impact craters are approximately circular depressions in the surface of a planet, moon or other solid body in the Solar System, formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller body with the surface. Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona

  3. Impact Cratering

  4. Impact Craters • Characteristics • Rim is raised compared to the surrounding terrain

  5. Impact Craters Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona

  6. Impact Craters • Characteristics • Rim is raised compared to the surrounding terrain • Floor is lower than the surrounding terrain (Barringer Crater is over 550 ft deep)

  7. Impact Craters • Characteristics • Rim is raised compared to the surrounding terrain • Floor is lower than the surrounding terrain • Inverted stratigraphy

  8. Impact Craters Moenkopi Kaibab Coconino Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, looking NW

  9. Impact Craters Moenkopi Kaibab Kaibab Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, SE rim

  10. Impact Craters Moenkopi hinge. Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, NE rim

  11. Impact Craters Moenkopi hinge. Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, NE rim

  12. Impact Craters • Ejecta Radial ejecta surrounding a lunar crater. Lobate ejecta surrounding a Martian crater.

  13. Impact Craters • Characteristics • Rim is raised compared to the surrounding terrain • Floor is lower than the surrounding terrain • Inverted stratigraphy • Ejecta • Shock metamorphism* • Shatter cones*

  14. Impact Craters Shock Metamorphism in Coconino Sandstone Shocked Coconino Sandstone Unshocked Coconino Sandstone Images from Traces of Catastrophe by Bevan M. French, 1998

  15. Impact Craters Shatter Cones Image Credit: http://www.impact-structures.com/impact-rocks-impactites/ From Traces of Catastrophe by Bevan M. French, 1998, image courtesy of V.L. Sharpton

  16. Impact Craters • Simple Craters • Small (relatively) bowl-shaped depressions with no interior structure

  17. Impact Craters • Complex Craters & Basins • Complex craters have interior terraces and flat floors surrounding central peaks. • Basins are craters >300km (~190 miles) in diameter.

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