KOEBERL, C. & MARTÍNEZ-RUIZ, F. (eds) 2003. Impact Markers in the Stratigraphic Record. Impact Studies Series. xvi + 347 pp. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag. Price Euros 89.95 (+ VAT at local rate), SFr 149.50, £69.00, US $99.00 (hard covers). ISBN 3 540 00630 3 DYPVIK, H., BURCHELL, M. & CLAEYS, P. (eds) 2003. Cratering in Marine Environments and on

Abstract

Half a century ago, scientists argued vehemently as to whether or not certain circular structures on the Earth’s surface were, in fact, the result of asteroidal or cometary impact. Today, impact studies are an established, highly specialized branch of planetary science, and arguments have moved well beyond those of simple recognition. As our understanding of impact processes improves, subtle differences emerge that enable us to characterize impacts that took place on former continental shelves, where water played an important role, to impacts on other volatile-rich target materials, including ice. Recognizing impact ejecta (both distal and proximal) in the stratigraphic record provides important time markers. In some cases, impact events have been recognized from regionally extensive or globally distributed ejecta, even though, as in the case of the australasian tektite strewnfield for example, no impact site has yet been recognized. From the interdisciplinary scientific programme ‘Response of the Earth System to Impact Processes’ (IMPACT) supported by the European Science Foundation (ESF) come two more volumes: Impact Markers in the Stratigraphic Record and Cratering in Marine Environments and on Ice . The ESF IMPACT Programme was directed at understanding meteorite impact processes, and their effects on Earth. The sixth ESF IMPACT workshop ‘Impact markers in the stratigraphic record’ was held in Granada (Spain) in May 2001. The resulting publication (edited by Christian Koeberl and Francisca Martinez-Ruiz) contains fourteen peer-reviewed papers. Introducing the volume, Koeberl & Martinez-Ruiz provide a broad overview …