Chapter 7: Problem 13

What is one piece of evidence that impact craters are actually caused by impacts?

Short Answer

Expert verified

One piece of evidence that impact craters are actually caused by impacts is the presence of minerals or rocks such as 'shocked quartz', that are formed only under intense pressure created by an impact, in or near the impact crater. The unique planar deformation features exhibited by the shocked quartz under the microscope is definitive proof of an impact.

Step by step solution

Understanding Impact Craters

Impact craters are geological formations that appear when an asteroid, meteor, or similar objects from space strike a planet's surface. They are typically round, with raised rims and floors that sink lower than the surrounding terrain.

Identify Evidence of Impact

An evidence of impact craters being caused by impacts can be the presence of minerals or rocks that are found only in extreme high-pressure situations such as those created by an impact. For example, 'shocked quartz' is a type of quartz that has undergone a sudden and intense pressure, it exhibits a unique criss-cross pattern under the microscope, known as 'planar deformation features', which is definitive proof of an impact. This wouldn't form under normal earth surface pressure.

Link Evidence with Impact Craters

If such minerals or rocks (like shocked quartz) are found in or near the impact craters, it suggests that the crater was created by an impact. This is because the extreme pressures required to form these minerals or rocks can only be generated by the instantaneous release of energy in an asteroid or meteorite impact. Therefore, their presence is a strong piece of evidence that impact craters are indeed caused by impacts.

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What is one piece of evidence that impact craters are actually caused by impacts?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Impact Craters

Identify Evidence of Impact

Link Evidence with Impact Craters

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