Analysis of a crater-forming meteorite impact in Peru

Computer Science – Sound

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

6

Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Impact Phenomena, Cratering (6022, 8136), Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Meteorites And Tektites (1028, 3662), Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Meteors

Scientific paper

The fireball producing a crater-forming meteorite fall near Carancas, Peru, on 15 September 2007 has been analyzed using eyewitness, seismic, and infrasound records. The meteorite impact, which produced a crater of 13.5 m diameter, is found to have released of order 1010 J of energy, equivalent to ~2-3 tons of TNT high explosives based on infrasonic measurements. Our best fit trajectory solution places the fireball radiant at an azimuth of 82° relative to the crater, with an entry angle from the horizontal of 63°. From entry modeling and infrasonic energetics constraints, we find an initial energy for the fireball to be in the 0.06-0.32 kton TNT equivalent. The initial velocity for the meteoroid is restricted to be below 17 km/s from orbit considerations alone, while modeling suggests an even lower best fit velocity close to 12 km/s. The initial mass of the meteoroid is in the range of 3-9 tons. At impact, modeling suggests a final end mass of order a few metric tons and impact velocity in the 1.5-4 km/s range. We suggest that the formation of such a substantial crater from a chondritic mass was the result of the unusually high strength (and corresponding low degree of fragmentation in the atmosphere) of the meteoritic body. Additionally, the high altitude of the impact site (3800 m.a.s.l) resulted in an almost one order of magnitude higher impact speed than would have been the case for the same body impacting close to sea level.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Analysis of a crater-forming meteorite impact in Peru does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Analysis of a crater-forming meteorite impact in Peru, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Analysis of a crater-forming meteorite impact in Peru will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1336803

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.