Publication in Science: Chicxulub impact and crater formation

21/11/2016 - 15:00

Chicxulub asteroid impact, crater formation process

The team’s new work has confirmed that the asteroid, which created the Chicxulub crater, hit the Earth’s surface with such a force that it pushed rocks, which at that time were ten kilometres beneath the surface, farther downwards and then outwards. These rocks then moved inwards again towards the impact zone and then up to the surface, before collapsing downwards and outwards again to form the peak ring. In total they moved an approximate total distance of 30 kilometres in a matter of a few minutes.

Professor Philippe Claeys, from the VUB, co-author of the paper and a 25-year veteran of Chicxulub research said: Collision is the most geological common process in the Solar System. This is a unique terrestrial case study that helps us understand this cratering process that shaped the surface of many planetary bodies of the Solar System. Moreover, it is most likely responsible for the last major mass extinction that wiped out 75% of the fauna and flora on Earth, including the dinosaurs. Study of this new core documents how the energy liberated by the impact was transferred to the global Earth system and led to the biological crisis

Mixture of two impact melts

Mixture of two impact melts (green vs black) within the crater; Uplifted granite from deep in the target rock cut by impact melt

Similar crater on the moon

Schroedinger crater (300 km) on the moon showing similar morphology as Chicxulub, with large central peak ring