A structural study of the Kentland, Indiana impact site

Abstract

The Kentland, Indiana impact structure includes a central uplifted area about 4 km in diameter with the most intense deformation confined to a core slightly greater than 1 km in diameter. Stratigraphic uplift in the core region is probably greater than 600 m. A large quarry located on the northern flank of the central uplift exposes in detail some of the complexities which occur as a result of structural modifications of an original transient cavity. Shock deformational features produced by the impact event, including monomict and polymict breccias and shatter cones, are exposed in the quarry. It is suggested that the probable mechanism producing central uplift formation in impact craters in sedimentary rocks is some type of rebound of the impact-compressed material.