Quantifying the release of climate-active gases by large meteorite impacts with a case study of Chicxulub

Artemieva, N., Morgan, J. and Expedition 364 Science Party, (2017) Quantifying the release of climate-active gases by large meteorite impacts with a case study of Chicxulub. Geophysical Research Letters, 44(20), 10,180-10,188. (doi: 10.1002/2017GL074879)

[img]
Preview
Text
153469.pdf - Published Version

892kB

Abstract

Potentially hazardous asteroids and comets have hit Earth throughout its history, with catastrophic consequences in the case of the Chicxulub impact. Here we reexamine one of the mechanisms that allow an impact to have a global effect—the release of climate-active gases from sedimentary rocks. We use the SOVA hydrocode and model ejected materials for a sufficient time after impact to quantify the volume of gases that reach high enough altitudes (> 25 km) to have global consequences. We vary impact angle, sediment thickness and porosity, water depth, and shock pressure for devolatilization and present the results in a dimensionless form so that the released gases can be estimated for any impact into a sedimentary target. Using new constraints on the Chicxulub impact angle and target composition, we estimate that 325 ± 130 Gt of sulfur and 425 ± 160 Gt CO2 were ejected and produced severe changes to the global climate.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:A.E. Pickersgill is a member of the Expedition 364 Science Party.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Pickersgill, Dr Annemarie
Authors: Artemieva, N., Morgan, J., and Expedition 364 Science Party,
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher:American Geophysical Union
ISSN:0094-8276
ISSN (Online):1944-8007
Published Online:28 October 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 American Geophysical Union
First Published:First published in Geophysical Research Letters 44(20): 10,180-10,188
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record