Small impact cratering processes produce distinctive charcoal assemblages

Autor(en)

A. Losiak, C. M. Belcher, J. Plado, A. Jõeleht, C. D. K. Herd, R. S. Kofman, M. Szokaluk, W. Szczucinski, A. Muszynski, E. M. Wild, S. J. Baker

Abstrakt

The frequency of crater-producing asteroid impacts on Earth is not known. Of the predicted Holocene asteroid impact craters of <200 m diameter, only ~30% have been located. Until now there has been no way to distinguish them from “normal” terrestrial structures unless pieces of iron meteorites were found nearby. We show that the reflective properties of charcoal found in the proximal ejecta of small impact craters are distinct from those produced by wildfires. Impact-produced charcoals and wildfire charcoals must derive from different heating regimes. We suggest that charcoal with specific reflective properties may help to recognize the meteoritic origin of small craters.

Organisation(en)

Isotopenphysik

Externe Organisation(en)

Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), University of Exeter, University of Tartu, University of Alberta, Adam Mickiewicz University

Journal

Geology

Band

50

Seiten

1276-1280

Anzahl der Seiten

5

ISSN

0091-7613

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1130/G50056.1

Publikationsdatum

11-2022

Peer-reviewed

Ja

ÖFOS 2012

103014 Kernphysik, 105102 Allgemeine Geophysik

Schlagwörter

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Geology

Link zum Portal

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/cde97772-c229-4ba3-a358-566e7351165f