Abstract
The Gosses Bluff cryptoexplosion structure is a large circular structure in central Australia. It has a minimum diameter of 10 miles and consists of a central uplifted area of structurally disturbed Paleozoic sediments approximately 4 miles in diameter which is surrounded by a ring of explosion breccia at least 3 miles wide. The presence of bentonite and zeolites and the position of Gosses Bluff on a regional anticlinal trend support a cryptovolcanic origin. Features such as shatter cones, deformation lamellae, shattered quartz, glass, partially melted quartz grains, and severely brecciated sedimentary rocks indicate shock and, together with the form of the crater and the decrease of shock effects with depth, suggest that an impact origin is likely.
Published Version
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