The role of volatiles and lithology in the impact cratering process.

Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics
By:  and 

Links

Abstract

A survey of published descriptions of 32 of the largest, least eroded terrestrial impact structures reveals that the amount of melt at craters in crystalline rocks is approximately 2 orders of magnitude greater than at craters in sedimentary rocks. In this paper we present a model for the impact process; calculations show that the volume of material shocked to pressures sufficient for melting should not be significantly different in sedimentary and crystalline rocks. We conclude that shock melt is formed in the early stages of the cratering process by impacts into rocks rich in volatiles but is destroyed by the cratering process. -from Authors
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The role of volatiles and lithology in the impact cratering process.
Series title Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics
DOI 10.1029/RG018i001p00143
Volume 18
Issue 1
Year Published 1980
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Reviews of Geophysics and Space Physics
First page 143
Last page 181
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details