Microspherules-Bearing White Sandstone: Implication of Cosmic Impact Event near Jurassic-Cretaceous Boundary in West Central Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

The presence of glass microspherules enclosing relict grains, shattered quartz and silicon carbide in white sandstone beds near the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary in west central Sinai indicates a cosmic impact event. Characterization of the impact microspherules and proposing a reasonable scenario for their origin are the aims of this work. Field observations, optical, binocular, scanning electron and high-resolution transmitted electron microscopy investigations and chemical analyses were carried out. The study revealed that glass microspherules have high Al2O3 and FeO contents and low CaO and MgO contents. The high content of Al2O3 indicates that the source of microtektite-like microspherules is attributed to the melting of a clay-rich sandstone and carbonaceous matter, while the high content of FeO indicates admixing with projectile matter. The reaction between silica and carbon was carried out under conditions of high temperature (T > 1000&#176C) and carbon (C/Si > 1) which resulted in the production of silicon carbide with microdiamond intergrowth. Consequently, this intergrowth is in accordance with the impact origin via rapid condensation and growth within a vapor phase. In spite of the fact that no source crater has been recognized to date in the study area, the authors propose at least a single cosmic impact event scenario for the recorded glass microspherules in west central Sinai. The impact excavated the Paleozoic siliciclastic sedimentary rocks and then the glass microspherules showered the area of study. The deposition of microtektite-like glass particles within the white sandstone beds of the Malha Formation took place in the fluvial plain terrestrial environment. This setting precluded severe post-depositional reworking, yielding preservation of the glass particles in a primary layer. Eventually, lateral migration of the braided channels led to the reworking of the microspherules layer and the spatial dispersal of the shattered quartz.