Abstract
Certain rocks, rock minerals and rock formations have come to be associated with ETICs (Extra-terrestrial Impact Craters). An extra-terrestrial impact crater is a crater that is formed by an extra-terrestrial impact event whereby a heavenly body (a meteor, comet, or asteroid) hits the earth’s surface and creates a crater; before it cools on the earth’s surface as a meteorite or completely gets squashed by the thermodynamics of space transit. The crater created can be dry or filled with water and may be a simple crater or a complex one, also denoted as a basin. The objective of this paper is to describe the geology of the Silali basin as an Extra-Terrestrial Impact Crater (ETIC), highlight the importance of some of its ETIC rocks and explain the formation of the Silali basin resulting from extra-terrestrial impact. Data was collected through field observation, remote sensing, analysis of past geographical and geological studies, interviewing and laboratory analysis. Information has been presented in the form of analyzed satellite images, pictures, tables, and maps. Notably, this is the first study on extra-terrestrial impact cratering (ETIC) in Kenya. Consequently, the Silali basin, as an ETIC, and its environs, is a virgin field for further scientific research.
Highlights
IntroductionExtra-terrestrial impact cratering was esoteric. extra-terrestrial impacts have become very important, largely, because they are associated with dinosaur extinction
The objective of this paper is to describe the geology of the Silali basin as an Extra-Terrestrial Impact Crater (ETIC), highlight the importance of some of its ETIC rocks and explain the formation of the Silali basin resulting from extra-terrestrial impact
The mechanisms associated with impact cratering are diverse but generally, when a sizable solid body strikes the earth at high speed, shock waves propagate into the target rocks
Summary
Extra-terrestrial impact cratering was esoteric. extra-terrestrial impacts have become very important, largely, because they are associated with dinosaur extinction. The morphometry of the crater: -On other heavenly bodies such as the Moon and Mars, the shape of an impact crater is relied upon to determine its presence and type (simple or complex). This is a megascopic characteristic but requiring remote sensing and aerial photography for detailed mapping. Volcanic craters ( Maars), salt diapirs, some glacial features, like cirques and kettle lakes and solution aided craters own the circular shape of an ETIC This disqualifies the circular configuration, alone, as enough claim for a structure to be accorded the status of an impact crater. Buried craters that are revealed by geophysical techniques, require a drill core to ascertain macro and microscopic evidence to prove an impact origin
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