Spinel-bearing spherules condensed from the Chicxulub impact-vapor plume

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 2005 Spinel-bearing spherules condensed from the Chicxulub impact-vapor plume Denton S. Ebel; Denton S. Ebel 1Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, American Museum of Natural History, 79th Street at Central Park West, New York, New York 10024-5192, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Lawrence Grossman Lawrence Grossman 2Department of the Geophysical Sciences and Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2005) 33 (4): 293–296. https://doi.org/10.1130/G21136.1 Article history received: 12 Sep 2004 rev-recd: 15 Dec 2004 accepted: 16 Dec 2004 first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Denton S. Ebel, Lawrence Grossman; Spinel-bearing spherules condensed from the Chicxulub impact-vapor plume. Geology 2005;; 33 (4): 293–296. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G21136.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Formation of the giant Chicxulub crater off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula coincided with deposition of the global Ir-rich Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) stratigraphic boundary layer ca. 65 Ma. The boundary is marked most sharply by abundant spherules containing unaltered grains of magnesioferrite spinel. Here we predict for the first time the sequential condensation of solids and liquids from the plume of vaporized rock expected from oblique K-T impacts. We predict highly oxidizing plumes that condense silicate liquid droplets bearing spinel grains whose compositions closely match those marking the actual boundary. Systematic global variations in spinel composition are consistent with higher condensation temperatures for spinels found at Atlantic and European sites than for those in the Pacific. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.