Articles tagged with Impact Features
Researchers studied impact marks on asteroid Bennu to reconstruct its history, revealing it formed hundreds of millions of years ago but wandered into Earth's neighborhood recently. The study provides a new benchmark for understanding asteroids and offers insights into hazardous space debris.
The Hayabusa2 mission's artificial impact crater on asteroid Ryugu revealed significant boulder movements and seismic shaking, up to 40m from the center. The study provides valuable insights into asteroids' resurfacing processes and can be used as a benchmark for numerical simulations.
Researchers from Italy's INGV and University of Bristol create historical catalog to estimate frequency of violent explosive events and investigate temporal recurrence relationship between eruptions. The study suggests a 50% probability of another paroxysm within 12 months after a previous explosion.
A study of young cichlid species in Nicaraguan crater lakes found that new species can arise within a few hundred years through the involvement of many genes. This contradicts previous theories suggesting that speciation is a slow process driven by simple genetic changes.
Researchers estimate that the moon could harbor roughly 15,000 square miles of permanent shadows, reservoirs that might preserve water via ice. These cold traps, found in craters near the poles, could be more common than previously thought and may hold pockets of ice.
A study published in Science Advances confirms that the Moon's localized strong magnetic fields are remnants of an ancient core dynamo. The researchers used complex simulations to disprove the asteroid impact theory, showing that the resulting magnetic field is a thousand times weaker than necessary to explain the observations.
Researchers found that burned organic matter in sediments ejected from the Chicxulub impact crater likely contributed to the mass extinction event. The analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) suggests a fossil source origin and rapid heating, consistent with rock material ejected during the asteroid impact.
Researchers reanalyzed image data from Voyager 1, 2 and Galileo spacecraft to investigate orientation and distribution of ancient tectonic troughs on Ganymede. A computer simulation suggests that the giant crater could have resulted from an asteroid impact with a radius of 150km.
A study by Osaka University researchers found that an asteroid of 100 km in diameter was disrupted 800 million years ago and caused a massive meteoroid impact, releasing approximately 30-60 times more material than the Chicxulub impact. This finding suggests that sporadic meteorite bombardment may have affected Earth's environment.
A research team analyzed a 'gel-like' substance discovered by the Chang'e-4 rover, finding it to be an impact melt breccia. The surrounding regolith may have originated from a differentiated melt pool or igneous rocks.
Researchers studied Telica Volcano, using photos collected from 1994-2017 and photogrammetric techniques to quantify changes in crater morphology. They found that crater wall collapse is a primary mechanism for changing volcano shape.
A new study found higher metal concentrations in the Moon's craters, which could change our understanding of its formation. The researchers used radar to image and characterize fine dust at the bottom of craters, revealing a potentially richer subsurface.
New radar findings suggest the Moon's subsurface is richer in metals like iron and titanium than previously believed. The research uses dielectric properties to locate metal oxides in lunar soil, revealing a steady increase in concentration with crater size.
The CODEX instrument uses ablation lasers and mass spectrometry to determine rock ages with precision ±20-80 million years, significantly more accurate than current methods. The miniaturized version will enable faster data acquisition on lander missions to the Moon or Mars.
A recent study has mapped the geological structures underlying massive methane craters in the Barents Sea, shedding new light on their formation and potential risks. The research suggests that deep cracks in the bedrock, which date back 250 million years, control the size and shape of the craters and are the source of the leaking methane.
Researchers from Skoltech studied a 20-meter wide and 20-meter deep crater in the Yamal Peninsula that formed after an explosive release of gas, mostly methane, from the permafrost. They found that the strongly negative δ13C ratio of methane pointed to a biogenic source, while other ratios suggested a deeper thermogenic source.
Scientists propose that asteroids Bennu and Ryugu were formed directly as spinning-top shapes due to a collision, with their equatorial craters ruling out recent re-shaping. The team's computer simulations suggest two possible explanations for the different hydration levels of the two bodies.
The asteroid impact at an estimated 60-degree angle led to the release of massive amounts of sulphur into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and causing a nuclear winter. This event ultimately contributed to the extinction of dinosaurs and 75% of life on Earth 66 million years ago.
Scientists studying Martian rocks find evidence of long-lived lakes, organic compounds, and a cold ancient environment. The discovery suggests that Mars' climate may have changed over time, with factors like volcanic activity and changes in the planet's obliquity contributing to these shifts.
Researchers analyzed satellite imagery and found river delta deposits in Jezero crater that formed over time scales promoting habitability and preservation of evidence. The study suggests ancient life could have existed near the Martian surface, with potential implications for understanding life evolution on Earth.
Researchers used AI to detect bomb craters from satellite images, increasing true detection by over 160%. The study suggests 44-50% of the area's dropped bombs may still be unexploded, posing a risk to local farmers. This method could help identify high-priority areas for demining efforts.
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft impacted asteroid Ryugu, creating an artificial crater that provided insights into the asteroid's age and surface cohesion. The results suggest a younger age estimate for Ryugu, with implications for surface age estimations of other rubble-pile asteroids.
Scientists at Curtin University have discovered the Yarrabubba crater, dated to 2.229 billion years ago, coinciding with the end of a global deep freeze known as Snowball Earth. The research suggests that the asteroid impact may have influenced global climate by vaporizing ice and releasing greenhouse gases.
Researchers have identified a possible buried impact crater in southern Laos as the origin of ancient tektites found across one-tenth of Earth's surface. The crater is believed to have formed approximately 790,000 years ago, with geochemical analysis and dating techniques supporting this claim.
Researchers analyzed Ryugu asteroid's impact craters to understand its geological history. The study revealed that the eastern hemisphere was formed earlier than the western hemisphere, with more craters found at lower latitudes.
Researchers using geochronological dating techniques determine Wolfe Creek Crater's age to be around 120,000 years old. The crater is one of seven impact sites in Australia dating back to this period, with a calculated rate of large meteorite impacts on Earth every 17,000 years.
Researchers discovered an olivine-norite rock in the South Pole-Aitken basin, suggesting it crystallized from the impact-derived melt pool. The fine-grain texture of the rock supports fast cooling thermal conditions.
A new study reveals that the Jezero crater landing site is home to hydrated silica deposits, which are exceptional at preserving microfossils and other biosignatures. The rover will be able to perform fine-scale chemical analysis and provide a close-up view of these deposits to help determine their origin.
A team of scientists, including Texas A&M University researcher Marion Nachon, found that Mars' Gale Crater lake underwent drying episodes, potentially linked to the planet's global drying. The study reveals signs of liquid water and salt ponds similar to those on Earth, particularly in South America's Altiplano region.
A new study suggests that a majority of lunar ice deposits are likely billions of years old, but some may be more recent, posing implications for exploration and resource utilization.
A new study published in Icarus suggests that the majority of ice deposits at the lunar south pole are likely billions of years old, while some may be much more recent. The researchers used data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to determine the ages of large craters and found evidence for both ancient and fresh ice deposits.
A research team led by LI Chunlai reconstructed the landing trajectory and positioning techniques of China's Chang'E-4, which successfully landed on the Moon's far side in January. The reconstruction provides valuable insights into the navigation process and could aid future lunar missions.
Russian and French scientists confirm Karla crater is an impact structure through paleomagnetic, petromagnetic, and geochemical samples. The study was conducted by researchers from Kazan Federal University and CEREGE, France.
Researchers analyzed core samples from the Chicxulub impact crater, revealing that top layers contained soil biomarkers suggesting a tsunami brought terrestrial material back to the site. The study also found evidence of impact-induced wildfires and a lack of sulfur-rich evaporites, implying a massive release of sulfate aerosols.
Scientists confirm scenario that dinosaurs died due to global cooling after asteroid impact, with rocks recording wildfires and sulfur absence within 24 hours. The research provides the most detailed look yet into the aftermath of the catastrophe.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered the largest known impact crater in the US, which was formed 35 million years ago and lies buried beneath the Chesapeake Bay. The crater's age was determined using a new dating technique, providing valuable insights into the Earth's history.
Researchers have discovered a large mass of material beneath the South Pole-Aitken basin, the Moon's largest crater. The mass, weighing over half a mile, may contain metal from an asteroid that crashed into the Moon and formed the crater.
A new study suggests that a strange mineral deposit near the landing site of NASA's next Mars rover is likely sourced from ancient volcanic explosions. The research provides tangible evidence for the importance of explosive volcanism on early Mars, shedding light on the water budget, groundwater abundance, and atmospheric thickness.
Researchers from USC Arid Climate and Water Research Center discovered that deep groundwater likely exists in a broader geographical area than previously thought, with an active system as deep as 750 meters. Groundwater is believed to originate surface streams in near-equatorial areas on Mars.
The Cascades Arc is home to a string of volcanoes with radically different histories, sparking researchers to look beyond individual volcanoes. By analyzing heat flow, seismic wave speeds, and other data sources, scientists aim to understand why some volcanoes erupt differently than others.
A Southwest Research Institute-led team of scientists have discovered a lack of very small Kuiper Belt objects with crater counts on Pluto's satellite Charon indicating fewer impactors smaller than 1 mile in diameter than predicted. This finding has deep implications for our understanding of the solar system's origin and evolution.
Researchers mapped scars on Pluto and Charon to determine size distribution of small Kuiper belt objects, revealing a lack of craters smaller than 13 km in diameter. This finding suggests that constituent objects may have survived intact since the Solar System's earliest days.
Research led by UT Austin found that Ceres' crust keeps cryomagma liquid for up to 10 million years after impact, contradicting earlier estimates. The discovery helps scientists understand primary forces driving volcanic activity and could shed light on Europa's potential for life.
The Chang'e 4 spacecraft landed safely in the Von Kármán crater, a 186-kilometer-diameter impact basin. The LRO's spectacular view reveals the massive mountain range and the lander itself is barely visible due to its distance from the camera.
Researchers used X-ray diffraction to track dynamic processes in feldspar minerals during simulated meteorite impacts. The results show that structural changes occur at varying pressures depending on the compression rate, highlighting a need for further investigation to understand impact conditions.
Researchers used Curiosity's repurposed inertial measurement units to detect subtle variations in gravitational fields, contradicting the theory of a buried rock layer. The study suggests that Mount Sharp formed largely in its current form as a free-standing mound within Gale crater.
Researchers repurposed data from NASA's Curiosity rover to measure the gravitational tug of Martian rocks, finding that lower slopes of Mount Sharp have lower density rock layers than predicted. This challenges a competing theory suggesting Gale Crater was once completely filled with sediment and excavated by erosion.
Scientists have made the first surface gravity measurements on a planet other than Earth using NASA's Curiosity rover on Mars. The rover's accelerometers, used for navigation, were calibrated to measure subtle changes in gravitational acceleration, providing new information about the subsurface of Mars.
The study found that Martian rocks are less compacted and more porous than expected, with a grain density of 2810 kg/m³ versus 1680 kg/m³. This suggests that the rocks have been compressed less, possibly due to reduced material buried over time.
A team of scientists analyzed lunar craters and found a drastic change in asteroid impact rates around 290 million years ago. This period saw an increase in asteroid impacts, with the rate being 2.6 times higher than before.
Researchers calculated lunar crater ages using thermal data and found a rate of large impacts two to three times higher on both bodies over the last 290 million years. This discovery challenges the theory that Earth's craters were worn away through erosion, instead suggesting a lower impact rate prior to 290 million years ago.
A new study found the number of asteroid collisions with the Earth and moon has increased by up to three times over the past 290 million years. Researchers studied lunar craters using thermal data and images to determine their ages, revealing a surprising similarity between the two bodies' impact records.
The Sunset Crater volcano in Arizona, USA experienced a highly explosive sub-Plinian eruption with pyroclastic fall deposits, lava flows, and associated effects on pre-historic inhabitants. The eruption is considered one of the most explosive monogenetic eruptions studied to date.
A new study uses computer models to simulate debris movement and recreate the puzzling patterns of grooves seen on Phobos. The model suggests that boulders blasted free from an ancient asteroid impact created the distinctive feature.
A kilometer-wide iron asteroid impact crater has been discovered in Greenland's Hiawatha Glacier, hidden under a half-mile-thick ice sheet. The crater, dated to the end of the Pleistocene era, was identified using radar data collected between 1997 and 2014.
Researchers have identified a large impact crater beneath Hiawatha Glacier in northwest Greenland, measuring 31 kilometers wide and featuring three distinct ice layers. The discovery suggests that the impactor could have been more than a kilometer wide, leading to significant environmental consequences.
Researchers have discovered a 31-km wide meteorite impact crater buried beneath the ice-sheet in northern Greenland, with evidence suggesting it formed after ice began to cover the region. The crater's well-preserved condition indicates it may be relatively young, with possible dating as recent as 12,000 years ago.
Researchers from University of Hamburg discovered that solid rock exhibits fluid behavior during massive impacts, forming craters in just minutes. The findings support the acoustic fluidization hypothesis and have significant implications for understanding large impact crater formation across our solar system.
Scientists discovered that extremely strong vibrations in the Earth allow rock to flow like a liquid for a crucial few minutes after impact. This 'acoustic fluidization' process enables the formation of mountainous ring structures within the crater's center.
A team of researchers identified factors contributing to recurrent patterns of diversity and similarity in cichlid fish. Habitat similarity is a key determinant of evolutionary predictability, with deeper lakes providing more ecological niches.