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Giant Impact Near India -- Not Mexico -- May Have Doomed Dinosaurs
October 16, 2009Boulder, CO, USA -- A mysterious basin off the coast of India could be the largest, multi-ringed impact crater the world has ever seen. And if a new study is right, it may have been responsible for killing the dinosaurs off 65 million years ago.
Sankar Chatterjee of Texas Tech University and a team of researchers took a close look at the massive Shiva basin, a submerged depression west of India that is intensely mined for its oil and gas resources. Some complex craters are among the most productive hydrocarbon sites on the planet. Chatterjee will present his research at this month's Annual Meeting of the Geological Society of America in Portland, Oregon.
By contrast, the object that struck the Yucatan Peninsula, and is commonly thought to have killed the dinosaurs was between 8 and 10 kilometers (5 and 6.2 miles) wide.
It's hard to imagine such a cataclysm. But if the team is right, the Shiva impact vaporized Earth's crust at the point of collision, leaving nothing but ultra-hot mantle material to well up in its place. It is likely that the impact enhanced the nearby Deccan Traps volcanic eruptions that covered much of western India. What's more, the impact broke the Seychelles islands off of the Indian tectonic plate, and sent them drifting toward Africa.
The geological evidence is dramatic. Shiva's outer rim forms a rough, faulted ring some 500 kilometers in diameter, encircling the central peak, known as the Bombay High, which would be 3 miles tall from the ocean floor (about the height of Mount McKinley). Most of the crater lies submerged on India's continental shelf, but where it does come ashore it is marked by tall cliffs, active faults and hot springs. The impact appears to have sheared or destroyed much of the 30-mile-thick granite layer in the western coast of India.
The team hopes to go India later this year to examine rocks drill from the center of the putative crater for clues that would prove the strange basin was formed by a gigantic impact.
"Rocks from the bottom of the crater will tell us the telltale sign of the impact event from shattered and melted target rocks. And we want to see if there are breccias, shocked quartz, and an iridium anomaly," Chatterjee said. Asteroids are rich in iridium, and such anomalies are thought of as the fingerprint of an impact.
The Geological Society of America, Inc.
Impact Crater Current Events and Impact Crater News RSSPrinceton geoscientist offers new evidence that meteorite did not wipe out dinosaurs
A Princeton University geoscientist who has stirred controversy with her studies challenging a popular theory that an asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs has compiled powerful new evidence asserting her position.
New blow for dinosaur-killing asteroid theory
The enduringly popular theory that the Chicxulub crater holds the clue to the demise of the dinosaurs, along with some 65 percent of all species 65 million years ago, is challenged in a paper to be published in the Journal of the Geological Society on April 27, 2009.
Volcanic Activity Shaped Mercury After All
Scientists have long anguished over how little is known about Mercury, the innermost of the four terrestrial planetary bodies in our solar system.
The Mystery of Mass Extinctions Is No Longer Murky
If you are curious about Earth's periodic mass extinction events such as the sudden demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, you might consider crashing asteroids and sky-darkening super volcanoes as culprits.
Ebb and flow of the sea drives world's big extinction events
If you are curious about Earth's periodic mass extinction events such as the sudden demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, you might consider crashing asteroids and sky-darkening super volcanoes as culprits.
Seismic images show dinosaur-killing meteor made bigger splash
The most detailed three-dimensional seismic images yet of the Chicxulub crater, a mostly submerged and buried impact crater on the Mexico coast, may modify a theory explaining the extinction of 70 percent of life on Earth 65 million years ago.
Brown Planetary Geologists Lend Expertise to Mercury Mission
What lies on the uncharted side of mysterious Mercury, the smallest planet in the solar system? Brown University students, led by planetary geologist James Head, will study never-before-seen images of Mercury when a NASA spacecraft makes the first visit to Mercury in nearly 33 years.
SMART-1: Travel maps of the lunar north pole
A new map obtained with SMART-1 data shows the geography and illumination of the lunar north pole. Such maps will be of great use for future lunar explorers.
Rovers begin new observations on changing Martian atmosphere
Mars rover scientists have launched a new long-term study on the Martian atmosphere with the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer, an instrument that was originally developed at the University of Chicago.
HiRISE Camera on NASA orbiter gets detailed view of opportunity at Victoria Crater
With stunningly powerful vision, the HiRISE camera on NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has taken a remarkable picture that shows the exploration rover Opportunity poised on the rim of Victoria crater on Mars.
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Sites of Impact: Meteorite Craters Around the World by Stan Gaz (Author) The Earth is pockmarked with the evidence of ancient collisions: huge craters blasted into its surface by thousands of pounds of meteorite fragments traveling at approximately 50,000 miles per hour. Ranging in age from those formed in this century to billion-year-old specimens, the Earth's meteorite craters are eroding at a rapid pace. The best-preserved impact sites are often difficult to access buried under ice, obscured by foliage, or baking in desert climes. These desolate landscapes are connected to another place outside of our world, and for photographer Stan Gaz they are sites of pilgrimage steps in a journey begun as a curious young boy accompanying his father on geological expeditions, and culminating in a six-year journey traveling the globe in search of these sites, much of... |
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Oakley Men's Impact Crater Sandal,Black/Red,14 M US by Oakley Get ready for aquatic action with the rugged Impact Crater sandals from Oakley. Synthetic and fabric upper in an athletic sandal style with a round open toe. Dual Velcro(R) adjustable straps for a custom fit. Pull-on loop, padded heel for comfort. Quick-dry spandex lining, RED CODE(TM) Technology contoured footbed absorbs shock. Microban(R) antimicrobial treatment controls odors. Lightweight EVA midsole, UNOBTAINIUM(TM) rubber outsole for exceptional traction. |
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Meteorite Impact Craters on Earth by Jensan Scientifics, LLC Meteorite Impact Craters on Earth Poster This poster features a table with all new information about the size, location, types of materials found and features of 177 verified impact craters discovered on earth as of 2008. The world map shows all 177 craters plotted geographically with the names of the craters, latitude and longitude and keyed to a data table. There are pictures and texts about some of the amazing rock and mineral types that are created ONLY by hyper-velocity impacts.
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Collisions and Impacts- The Role of Meteors and Craters in our Solar System As seen in Meteors Crater's Museum on the Rim Experience some of the history, speculations and splendors of Meteor Crater, one of the worlds most spectacular natural sites. Learn how asteroids, comets and meteors were critical to the formation of our planet and the entire solar system. Youll enjoy a variety of stills, animation and film footage that tell this captivating story. This DVD will provide insight the spectacle of Meteor Crater. |
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Meteorite Craters and Impact Structures of the Earth by Paul Hodge (Author) During its five-billion-year history, Earth has been hit countless times by asteroids and meteorites. Over 150 crater-producing events have been identified, and this 1994 book describes all 139 sites worldwide at which evidence of the impacts can be seen. They range in age from recent craters formed this century to the highly eroded billion-year-old ancient craters. Some are spectacular to visit, such as the Barringer Crater in Arizona, the ring-shaped mountains of Gosses Bluff, Australia, and the huge crater at Ries in Germany. For each site there is a summary table giving location, size, age and present condition. Maps are included where necessary. The author has visited many of the sites and his photographs enrich this thorough survey. Meteorite craters are fascinating to visit, so the... | |
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Impact Crater on Mars Art Photographic Poster Print by Stocktrek Images, 18x24 by AllPosters.com AllPosters.com is the world's #1 seller of posters, prints, photographs, specialty products and framed art. We're dedicated to bringing our customers the best selection of high quality wall décor that is perfect for their home or office. Browse our catalog of over 300,000 items that include entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you're looking for your favorite movie or music poster, a framed Monet reproduction, or a print of the Eiffel Tower you will find it at AllPosters.com. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/allposters to find Special Offers and search by subject category or artist. AllPosters.com provides unmatched service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
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The Chesapeake Bay Crater: Geology and Geophysics of a Late Eocene Submarine Impact Structure (Impact Studies) by C. Wylie Poag (Author), Christian Koeberl (Author), Wolf U. Reimold (Author) This volume synthesizes 16 years of geological and geophysical studies which document an 85-km-wide impact crater buried 500 m beneath Chesapeake Bay in south eastern Virginia, USA. The authors integrate extensive seismic reflection profiling and deep core drilling to analyze the structure, morphology, gravimetrics, sedimentology, petrology, geochemistry, and paleontology of this submarine structure. Of special interest are a detailed comparison with other terrestrial and extraterrestrial craters, as well as a conceptual model and computer simulation of the impact. The extensive illustrations encompass more than 150 line drawings and core photographs. An accompanying CD-ROM includes selected seismic profiles, scaled cross sections, detailed maps, and downhole geophysical logs. |
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The Rockin' World of Geology - Part 1 and 2 (The Standard Deviants' Video Course Review) [2 VHS Video Set] Whether you want a quick review or in-depth instruction, you need The Standard Deviants' Video Course Review. Unlike anything you've used before, this unique video study aid breaks down difficult college course material using an easy-to-understand and enjoyable format. It gives you an intensive tutorial covering the most important concepts, problems and processes; an easy-to-follow presentation that teaches Geology in a language you'll understand; a video format that allows you to study at your own pace; a dynamic and entertaining style that won't put you to sleep; a perfect tool for class and exam preparation. Just a few of the topics covered in these two videos are geologic record; fundamental principles of geology; magmas; plutons; physical weathering; stratification; metamorphic... |
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Impact crater: An entry from Thomson Gale's Gale Encyclopedia of Science, 3rd ed. by David T., Jr. King (Author) The “Gale Encyclopedia of Science” is written at a level somewhere between the introductory sources and the highly technical texts currently available. This six-volume set covers all major areas of science and engineering, as well as mathematics and the medical and health sciences, while providing a comprehensive overview of current scientific knowledge and technology. Alphabetically arranged entries provide a user-friendly format that makes the broad scope of information easy to access and decipher. Entries typically describe scientific concepts, provide overviews of scientific areas and, in some cases, define terms. | |
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This Image Shows Victoria Crater, an Impact Crater at Meridiani Planum, Near the Equator of Mars Art Photographic Poster Print by Stocktrek Images, 36x48 by AllPosters.com AllPosters.com is the world's #1 seller of posters, prints, photographs, specialty products and framed art. We're dedicated to bringing our customers the best selection of high quality wall décor that is perfect for their home or office. Browse our catalog of over 300,000 items that include entertainment and specialty posters, decorative prints, and art reproductions. Whether you're looking for your favorite movie or music poster, a framed Monet reproduction, or a print of the Eiffel Tower you will find it at AllPosters.com. Visit our Amazon store today at www.amazon.com/allposters to find Special Offers and search by subject category or artist. AllPosters.com provides unmatched service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We ship internationally to over 80 countries. Decorate your... |
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