The Impact-Cratering Process

Abstract

Research Article| February 01, 2012 The Impact-Cratering Process Gareth S. Collins; Gareth S. Collins 1Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, SW7 2AZ, United KingdomE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar H. Jay Melosh; H. Jay Melosh 2Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USAE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Gordon R. Osinski Gordon R. Osinski 3Depts. of Earth Sciences and Physics & Astronomy, University of Western Ontario, London, ON N6A 5B7, CanadaE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2012) 8 (1): 25–30. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.8.1.25 Article history 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 Gareth S. Collins, H. Jay Melosh, Gordon R. Osinski; The Impact-Cratering Process. Elements 2012;; 8 (1): 25–30. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.8.1.25 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 SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Impact cratering is an important and unique geologic process. The high speeds, forces and temperatures involved are quite unlike conventional endogenic processes, and the environmental consequences can be catastrophic. Kilometre-scale craters are excavated and collapse in minutes, in some cases distributing debris around the globe and exhuming deeply buried strata. In the process, rocks are deformed, broken, heated and transformed in unique ways. Elevated temperatures in the crust may persist for millennia, and important chemical reactions are promoted by the extreme environment of the impact plume. Released gases may cause long-term perturbations to the climate, and impact-related phosphorus reduction may have played a role in the origin of life on Earth. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.