Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
May 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agusm.p13a..06s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2009, abstract #P13A-06
Mathematics
Logic
3654 Ultra-High Pressure Metamorphism, 3656 Ultra-High Temperature Metamorphism, 5410 Composition (1060, 3672), 5420 Impact Phenomena, Cratering (6022, 8136), 5460 Physical Properties Of Materials
Scientific paper
Asteroid and comet impacts are an important geological process on all solid planetary bodies, including Earth, and involve pressures and temperatures that may reach several hundred GPa and several thousand K [1] over very limited spatial and temporal scales. This results in shock metamorphism and alters the target material on both megascopic and microscopic scales [2]. Many shock metamorphic features are unique to hypervelocity impact environments and are, therefore, diagnostic of such an event [1,2]. Of particular interest for this study is the effect of hypervelocity impact on the density of the target material. In the case of crystalline target rocks, shock metamorphism results in an increase of pore space and impact induced fractures which act to decrease the density. The Haughton impact structure is a well-preserved late Eocene (39 ± 2 Ma) complex impact structure, situated near the western end of Devon Island (75°22'N, 89°41'W) [3]. The geology of the area consists of a sedimentary sequence unconformably overlying crystalline Precambrian gneisses of the Canadian Shield. Since the impact, Devon Island has remained tectonically stable and Haughton remains well-preserved despite being subjected to several glaciations. The excellent preservation of the structure is largely due to the primarily cold and relatively dry environment that has existed in the Arctic since the Eocene [3]. Samples of crystalline material were collected from 36 sites within the impact breccia unit of the Haughton impact structure. These samples display a wide range of density and physical appearance. The type of shock effect(s) created depends upon the pressures and temperatures involved as well as the composition, density and material's location in the target. The samples found in the Haughton impact structure show a wide range of shock effects and thus were exposed to a variety of different conditions likely due to their in-situ positions relative to the impact. Polished thin sections from a representative selection of shocked and unshocked Precambrian gneiss from the Haughton impact structure were investigated in transmitted light with a petrographic microscope and each sample was assigned a shock level based on the identification of shock features. Features identified include kink banding in mica, planar deformation features in quarts and feldspar, and partial or complete melting of various minerals. The density of each sample was also measured. Preliminary results suggest a correlation between decreasing density and increasing shock level. These results may be important not only for understanding shock metamorphism, but also for astrobiology. Impact- induced density decreases in crystalline rocks present opportunities for microbial colonization that would not exist otherwise [4]. The colonization of the shocked material in craters represents a potential mechanism for pioneer organisms to invade an impact structure in the earliest stages of post-impact primary succession. This is a possible mechanism by which microbes may gain a foothold on planetary surfaces that do not have other hospitable habitats. This may be of particular relevance to Mars [4]. [1] Langenhorst, F., Bulletin of the Czech Geo. Survey, 2002. 77, (4): p. 265-282. [2] Therriault, A.M. et al. Bul- letin of the Czech Geo. Survey, 2002. 77, (4): p. 253-263. [3] Stöffler, D. (1971) Journal of Geo-physical Research, 79, (23) [4] Cockell, C.S. et al. Met. & Pl. Sci., 2002. 37, p. 1287-1298.
Moser Danielle
Osinski Gordon
Singleton Alaura C.
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