The formation of peak rings in large impact craters

Morgan, J. V. et al. (2016) The formation of peak rings in large impact craters. Science, 354(6314), pp. 878-882. (doi: 10.1126/science.aah6561) (PMID:27856906)

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Abstract

Large impacts provide a mechanism for resurfacing planets through mixing near-surface rocks with deeper material. Central peaks are formed from the dynamic uplift of rocks during crater formation. As crater size increases, central peaks transition to peak rings. Without samples, debate surrounds the mechanics of peak-ring formation and their depth of origin. Chicxulub is the only known impact structure on Earth with an unequivocal peak ring, but it is buried and only accessible through drilling. Expedition 364 sampled the Chicxulub peak ring, which we found was formed from uplifted, fractured, shocked, felsic basement rocks. The peak-ring rocks are cross-cut by dikes and shear zones and have an unusually low density and seismic velocity. Large impacts therefore generate vertical fluxes and increase porosity in planetary crust.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:Expedition 364 was jointly funded by the European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling (ECORD) and the International Continental Scientific Program, with contributions and logistical support from the Yucatan State Government and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). G.S.C. was funded by UK Science and Technology Facilities Council grant ST/N000803/1. S.P.S.G. acknowledges his Fellowship at the Hanse-Wissenschaftkolleg, Germany. This is UTIG Contribution #3018.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Pickersgill, Dr Annemarie
Authors: Morgan, J. V., Gulick, S. P.S., Bralower, T., Chenot, E., Christeson, G., Claeys, P., Cockell, C., Collins, G. S., Coolen, M. J.L., Ferriere, L., Gebhardt, C., Goto, K., Jones, H., Kring, D. A., Le Ber, E., Lofi, J., Long, X., Lowery, C., Mellett, C., Ocampo-Torres, R., Osinski, G. R., Perez-Cruz, L., Pickersgill, A., Poelchau, M., Rae, A., Rasmussen, C., Rebolledo-Vieyra, M., Riller, U., Sato, H., Schmitt, D. R., Smit, J., Tikoo, S., Tomioka, N., Urrutia-Fucugauchi, J., Whalen, M., Wittmann, A., Yamaguchi, K. E., and Zylberman, W.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Journal Name:Science
Publisher:American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISSN:0036-8075
ISSN (Online):1095-9203
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 American Association for the Advancement of Science
First Published:First published in Science 354(6314):878-882
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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