Dynamics of Impact Cratering in Shallow Sand Layers

Abstract

When a solid sphere impacts a shallow layer of sand deposited on a solid surface, a crater can be obtained. The dynamics of the opening of the crater can be followed accurately. During this opening, the radius of the crater can be conveniently modeled by an exponential saturation with a well-defined time constant. The crater then closes up partially once the opening phase is over as the sand avalanches down the slope of the crater. We here present a detailed study of the full dynamics of the crater formation as well as the dynamics of the corrola formed during this process. A simple model accounts for most of our observations.