Shock metamorphism records the transient, extreme pressures and temperatures generated by hypervelocity impacts. It bridges microscale deformation features and macroscale cratering events and serves as one of the most diagnostic tools for recognizing impact structures across the Solar System.
The field has been rapidly advanced by the convergence of several recent advances. Returned samples from Chang’e-5 and Chang’e-6 (Moon), Hayabusa2 (Ryugu), and OSIRIS-REx (Bennu) are revealing new complexity in shock-induced mineral alteration and impact chronology. Dynamic high-pressure techniques can now replicate key aspects of natural impact P–T–t paths at the nanosecond scale. Multiscale numerical modelling is quantitatively linking microscale mineral deformation to macroscale crater formation in complex planetary environments.
These developments have sharpened several fundamental questions:
To address these challenges, this Thematic Issue highlights the current state of knowledge in shock metamorphism and aims to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue among experimentalists, sample analysts, modellers, and planetary geologists. Contributions that integrate multiple approaches are particularly encouraged—for example, studies that couple shock-recovery experiments with numerical simulations, or investigations that link meteorite shock features with remote-sensing data of parent-body surfaces. The intention is to refine petrological recorders of shock, improve the fidelity of impact models, and extend the applicability of shock metamorphism as a tool for understanding planetary evolution, resource distribution, and impact processing, and planetary surface modification.
Topics of Interest (non-exhaustive)
Dynamic compression studies using light-gas guns, high-power lasers, Z-pinch platforms, and pulsed-power facilities; complementary hydrocode and multiphysics simulations (iSALE, CTH, SPH, ANSYS AUTODYN) replicating planetary impact conditions.
Petrographic, mineralogical, and geochemical characterization of shock-induced microstructures, high-pressure polymorphs (coesite, stishovite, seifertite, reidite, diamond, ringwoodite, bridgmanite), melt veins, and impact glass; implications for parent-body collisional histories and regolith evolution.
M orphological, structural, stratigraphic, and geophysical analyses of terrestrial, lunar, Martian, and small-body impact craters; remote-sensing investigations of fresh craters coupled with geophysical constraints (e.g., InSight seismic data).
Advances in multi-physics simulations of crater formation, shock wave propagation, ejecta dynamics, and post-impact thermal evolution and modification.
DFT, molecular dynamics, and in-situ experimental studies (FIB-TEM, Raman spectroscopy, atom probe tomography) of shock-induced phase changes, amorphization, and defect evolution in silicates, oxides, and planetary analogue materials.
Calibration and application of shock pressure indicators and isotopic chronometers to constrain impact conditions and timing.
Impact processing of granular materials, shock lithification, and the generation of agglutinates and impact melts on airless bodies.
Diagnostic shock features (shatter cones, planar deformation features, impact melts) in well-preserved terrestrial craters; links between large impacts, planetary habitability, climate perturbation, and extreme materials synthesis.
Studies that integrate two or more of these themes are especially encouraged.
Submission Information
All submitted manuscripts will undergo the journal’s standard rigorous peer-review process. Authors are requested to prepare manuscripts according to the Planet author guidelines, available at https://journal.hep.com.cn/planet/EN/guidelines , and to submit via the online submission system at https://planetauthor.manuscriptcloud.com/ , selecting the Thematic issue “Shock Metamorphism” during the submission process.
This Thematic Issue is expected to assemble a high-quality collection that captures the vitality and interdisciplinarity of contemporary shock metamorphism research. Submissions from the global scientific community are warmly encouraged.
Guest Editors
Runlian PANG
Associate Professor
Research Center for Planetary Science, Chengdu University of Technology
Email: pangrunlian@cdut.edu.cn
Jing YANG
Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Email: yang-jing@mail.gyig.ac.cn
Key Dates
Manuscript submission deadline
30 September 2026
Target first decision
31 October 2026
Revised manuscript deadline
20 November 2026
Final acceptance
30 November 2026
Planned publication
December 2026 (Volume 2, Issue 4)
About Planet
Planet is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published quarterly, covering the full spectrum of planetary science — from planetary geology and geophysics to atmospheres, magnetospheres, astrobiology, and small-body studies. The journal ensures permanent archiving and unrestricted global access to all published content. Guided by an editorial board of leading researchers spanning the planetary science community, Planet is committed to rigorous peer review, rapid editorial handling, and the widest possible dissemination of high-quality research. Planet now invites submissions for a Thematic Issue on Shock Metamorphism , to be published in December 2026.
Why Submit to Planet and This Thematic Issue?