A review of the models of near-Earth object impact cratering on Earth

Abstract

Near-Earth object (NEO) impact cratering is one of the frontier themes of planetary research. The cratering process and types, laboratory impact cratering phenomena, and cratering scaling are introduced. The hypervelocity impact-cratering process is conventionally divided into three successive stages: contact and compression, excavation, and modification. When large impact craters are formed in geological materials, shearing is the main deformation mode. At small scales, cratering in brittle materials is dominated by surface spalling; much of the crater volume consists of a wide, flat spall zone. According to the morphological characteristics of impact craters, impact craters are generally divided into two groups: simple and complex craters. The cratering mechanism of NEO impact cratering and the deficiency of point source model are analyzed. The cratering mechanism can be divided into strength regime and gravity regime. In the strength regime, the cratering results are controlled by strength, and in the gravity regime, the cratering results are dominated by gravity. Crater scaling laws have been established based on dimensional analysis, point source approximation and the results of experimental and numerical impact. The scaling law is a specific power rate form, which describes well the scaling of crater size, ejecta, and crater growth. But the scaling law of the point source model is not applicable to the experimental phenomenon in several impactor radii. The suggestions for future research of NEO impact cratering are pointed out:(1) scaling where the point source hypothesis is not applicable; (2) the effect of melting, gasification, atmosphere and temperature on the cratering process; (3) scaling law and model of oblique impact; (4) momentum enhancement effect of impact; (5) experimental and numerical methods to simulate the formation of impact craters.