Abstract
Impacts of asteroids and comets on planets are fundamental processes in the solar system. Relatively few pristine craters are preserved on the Earth because of the vigorous endogenic geologic processes that affect its surface. Nonetheless, only terrestrial craters can provide us with direct observations on the subsurface structure of impact craters, the dynamics of crater formation, and the effect on the planetary environment as preserved in the geological record.
Highlights
The Chicxulub impact crater in Mexico (Fig. 1) is unique in the terrestrial impact record
Onshore there are several deep, but mainly uncored, industry wells (S-1, C-1 and Y6 in Fig. 1), a number of shallow holes drilled by Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (U-1), and one deep International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) hole, Yaxcopoil-1 (Yax-1), drilled in 2002
A workshop on future scientific drilling of the Chicxulub impact crater was held at GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ), Germany on 11–12 September 2006
Summary
Joint IODP/ICDP Scientific Drilling of the Chicxulub Impact Crater doi:10.2204/iodp.sd.4.11.2007 by Jo Morgan, Gail Christeson, Sean Gulick, Richard Grieve, Jaime Urrutia, Penny Barton, Mario Rebolledo, and Jay Melosh. Chicxulub is the best preserved large impact crater on Earth and is the only known terrestrial impact structure with a demonstrable topographic peak ring Peak rings are common features of large craters on the terrestrial planets yet their process of formation is poorly understood. A workshop on future scientific drilling of the Chicxulub impact crater was held at GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ), Germany on 11–12 September 2006. Two holes were identified as critical to advancing the understanding of cratering mechanisms: i) one hole through the crater’s topographic peak ring (offshore location), and ii) a second well near the crater center passing through the entire sequence of impactites, the impact melt sheet, and into the uplifted crust in the center of the crater (onshore location).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
