The Ries impact, a double-layer rampart crater on Earth

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2013 The Ries impact, a double-layer rampart crater on Earth Sebastian Sturm; Sebastian Sturm * 1Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Geo- und Umweltnaturwissenschaften-Geologie, Albertstrasse 23B, 79104 Freiburg, Germany *E-mails: sebastian.sturm@geologie.uni-freiburg.de; dietmar.jung@lfu.bayern.de. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gerwin Wulf; Gerwin Wulf 1Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Geo- und Umweltnaturwissenschaften-Geologie, Albertstrasse 23B, 79104 Freiburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dietmar Jung; Dietmar Jung * 2Landesamt für Umwelt, Bavaria, 95030 Hof/Saale, Germany *E-mails: sebastian.sturm@geologie.uni-freiburg.de; dietmar.jung@lfu.bayern.de. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Thomas Kenkmann Thomas Kenkmann 1Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Geo- und Umweltnaturwissenschaften-Geologie, Albertstrasse 23B, 79104 Freiburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Sebastian Sturm * 1Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Geo- und Umweltnaturwissenschaften-Geologie, Albertstrasse 23B, 79104 Freiburg, Germany Gerwin Wulf 1Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Geo- und Umweltnaturwissenschaften-Geologie, Albertstrasse 23B, 79104 Freiburg, Germany Dietmar Jung * 2Landesamt für Umwelt, Bavaria, 95030 Hof/Saale, Germany Thomas Kenkmann 1Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Institut für Geo- und Umweltnaturwissenschaften-Geologie, Albertstrasse 23B, 79104 Freiburg, Germany *E-mails: sebastian.sturm@geologie.uni-freiburg.de; dietmar.jung@lfu.bayern.de. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 08 Aug 2012 Revision Received: 15 Nov 2012 Accepted: 19 Nov 2012 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2013 Geological Society of America Geology (2013) 41 (5): 531–534. https://doi.org/10.1130/G33934.1 Article history Received: 08 Aug 2012 Revision Received: 15 Nov 2012 Accepted: 19 Nov 2012 First Online: 09 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 Sebastian Sturm, Gerwin Wulf, Dietmar Jung, Thomas Kenkmann; The Ries impact, a double-layer rampart crater on Earth. Geology 2013;; 41 (5): 531–534. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33934.1 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 The ejecta blankets of impact craters formed on a planetary body that is free of significant quantities of volatiles show substantial differences from those formed on a volatile-rich planetary body. Craters in volatile-rich environments often have layered ejecta blankets with lobe-like ramparts and long runout flows, as seen for Martian impact craters. Under volatile-free conditions, present on the Moon and Mercury, radial textures and patterns, and a gradational decrease in ejecta thickness with distance, can be observed. The Ries crater in Germany is one of the rare impacts on Earth with a preserved ejecta blanket. This crater was previously regarded as an analogue for impact formation on the Moon. Here we demonstrate for the first time that the recent Ries ejecta blanket contains a massive and continuous rampart structure at 1.45–2.12 crater radii from the crater center. Ejecta distribution and thickness, as well as the ejecta fabric, indicate the presence of fluids during the emplacement process. Although Mars differs in atmospheric pressure and water distribution from Earth, the Ries crater shows striking similarities to Martian craters; in particular, those with double-layered ejecta. Consequently, terrestrial impact craters can be better used as analogues for understanding impact formation on Mars than for planetary bodies with volatile-free conditions as seen on the Moon and Mercury. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.