Abstract
For the discovery and analysis of Jebel Waqf as Suwwan (JWS) Impact Crater, Jordan pushed the authors to consequently focusing on other unusual geologic phenomena such as circular/oval structures (some of “crypto-volcanic” origin), disharmonic folding, horizontal stylolites, and a broad stripe of Sanidine-Hornfels-Facies, all of them hosted in Upper Cretaceous/Paleogene carbonate rocks exposed across Jordan and adjacent areas. Shatter cones are the most useful tools during field work in the realm of circular structures. In addition to the impact-geologic data of JWS Impact Structure hitherto available, the cooling process of melted Lower Cretaceous Kurnub-Sandstone could be verified by microscopically identified SiO2-modifications between the melting point (1714°C) and low temperatures. In comparison with the Suffield 500 tons explosion tests [20] and with the Ries Impact Crater, Germany, excavation and vaporization processes of target rocks demand drilling between Central Uplift and Inner Ring of the JWS Impact Structure (“Chert-Carbonate-Impact-Chess Game”). In a scenario: “Impacting meets Plate Tectonics”, phenomena like disharmonic folding, horizontal stylolites, and an abundance of circular/oval structures of high diameter variation through northwest Jordan are discussed under aspects of gravitational gliding, effects of seismic surface waves (Love-), transpressional structures related to Jordan Rift-Tectonics, and possible impact processes of unknown number occurred on the Arabian Plate in southeastern direction with northwest-directed impulse. The so-called “Mottled Zone” of Jordan and Palestine owning a high number (~100) of mineral neoformations with formation temperatures up to ~1120°C(pseudo-wollastonite = β-CaSiO3), is to be interpreted as of “Sanidine-Hornfels-Impact Facies” under ricochet conditions along an “Avenue of Ricochet-Impact-Thermo-Cataclysm”. Marble-related travertines represent a low temperature facies of the impact event. The temporal projection of patterns like Rapid Climate Change (RCC), astrophysical data [Hoyle’s Comet: 47], acid events in ice-cores, tektite fall, Rise and Fall of Neolithic/Bronze Age Cultures, reveals an amazing “Ensemble” of coincidences among all of these parameters since the Middle/Upper Pleistocene boundary throughout Holocene. Ten short Interval Cases are discussed as being “Rare Event”- suspicious. Myths like the “Gilgamesch Epos” and “John’s Apocalypse” surprisingly provide realistic hints on impact events comparable with modern observations and experiments, which are: approach of extraterrestrial bodies, impact cratering, earthquakes and faulting, supercyclonic whirl-storms (wildfires), effects of hot ejecta, destruction of fauna, flora, and cities, long-lasting flooding, darkness caused by ashes and dust circulating in atmosphere and stratosphere (sintwinter), and environmental pollution. Such hints were handed down in myths of ~180 ethnic peoples around the globe. “High probability Cases” focus on impact events on ~9600 yr B.P and on ~6000 yr B.P. Other “Rare Events” may have possibly occurred about ~8000 yr B.P. and on ~3200 yr. B.P. (all radiocarbon yr.cal.). Core-drilling in the pull-apart basins of the Jordan Rift System (Dead Sea, Lake Tiberias) as traps having possibly preserved volcanic and impact ejecta would be a challenging international and interdisciplinary project.
Highlights
After the discovery of Waqf as Suwwan Impact Crater [1]-[4], the authors were encouraged to direct the focus on several uncommon geologic phenomena reported from the Middle East during the last 60 years
Uncommon geologic occurrences in Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine are as follows (Figure 1): -Circular/oval ring-like structures in Jordan and westernmost Iraq, hitherto discussed as of “crypto-volcanic” origin [7]-[9], as well as others in northwest Jordan (Figure 2, [10]). -Disharmonic folding, horizontal stylolites, and slickensides on transverse faults hosted in chert-bearing Upper Cretaceous carbonate rocks in Jordan [11]-[13]. -Surface-related contact-metamorphic transformation of more or less bituminous Upper Cretaceous carbonate rocks to marbles of the Sanidine-Hornfels-Facies covering parts of an area about 50 × 180 square kilometers ranging, northwest/southeast-striking, from Central Jordan [14] to Palestine [15]
This might challenge the question whether impact events, including Jebel Waqf as Suwwan Impact Crater, may have triggered part of magmatic and hydrothermal processes
Summary
After the discovery of Waqf as Suwwan Impact Crater [1]-[4], the authors were encouraged to direct the focus on several uncommon geologic phenomena reported from the Middle East during the last 60 years. Widespread plateau-basalts in north Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria rather marginally situated to the phenomena listed above, effused during the same time span [16]. This might challenge the question whether impact events, including Jebel Waqf as Suwwan Impact Crater, may have triggered part of magmatic and hydrothermal processes. The authors do not hesitate to oppose myths of the Near and Middle East to recent scientific data, not for ascertainment, but for contemplation and valuable information
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