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Impact Craters
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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
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Impact Cratering
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Impact Craters
Characteristics Rim is raised compared to the surrounding terrain
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Impact Craters
Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona
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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)
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Impact Craters
Characteristics Rim is raised compared to the surrounding terrain Floor is lower than the surrounding terrain Inverted stratigraphy
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Impact Craters
Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, looking NW
Moenkopi
Kaibab
Coconino
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Impact Craters
Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, SE rim
Moenkopi
KaibabKaibab
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Impact Craters
Moenkopi hinge. Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, NE rim
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Impact Craters
Moenkopi hinge. Barringer “Meteor” Crater, Arizona, NE rim
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Impact Craters
Ejecta
Lobate ejecta surrounding a Martian crater.Radial ejecta surrounding a lunar crater.
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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*
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Impact CratersShock Metamorphism in Coconino Sandstone
Unshocked Coconino Sandstone Shocked Coconino Sandstone
Images from Traces of Catastrophe by Bevan M. French, 1998
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Impact CratersShatter 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
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Impact Craters
Simple Craters Small (relatively) bowl-shaped
depressions with no interior structure
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Impact Craters
Complex Craters & Basins Complex craters have interior terraces
and flat floors surrounding central peaks.
Basins are craters >300km (~190 miles) in diameter.