Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Gordon R. Osinski
Canadian Space Agency, 6767 Route de l'Aeroport, St-Hubert, QC J3Y 8Y9 Canada,
Email: gordon.osinski@space.gc.ca
ABSTRACT
Meteorite impact structures are found on all
planetary bodies in the Solar System with a solid
surface. On the Moon, Mercury, and much of Mars,
impact craters are the dominant landform. On Earth,
174 impact sites have been recognized, with several
more new craters being discovered each year. The
terrestrial impact cratering record is critical for our
understanding of impacts as it currently provides the
only ground-truth data on which to base
interpretations of the cratering record of other planets
and moons. In this contribution, I summarize the
processes and products of impact cratering and
provide and an up-to-date assessment of the
geological record of meteorite impacts.
1.
2.
INTRODUCTION
3.
4.
Fig. 15. Distribution of the 174 recognized terrestrial impact structures superimposed on a digital elevation map of the
Earth. The red dots represent structures formed entirely in crystalline target rocks; blue dots represent structures formed
entirely in sedimentary target rocks; and green dots represent mixed crystallinesedimentary targets. Location of
structures from the Earth Impact Database [2] (see Appendix 1).
6.2. Age distribution
structures
of
terrestrial
impact
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
8.
REFERENCES
Appendix 1. List of confirmed terrestrial impact structures with their important attributes (data from the Earth Impact
Database, 2006) and a summary of the target stratigraphy (this study).
Crater name
Acraman
Ames
Amelia Creek
Amguid
Aorounga
Aouelloul
Araguainha
Arkenu 1
Arkenu 2
Avak
B.P. Structure
Barringer
Beaverhead
BeyenchimeSalaatin
Bigach
Boltysh
Bosumtwi
Boxhole
Brent
Calvin
Campo Del Cielo
Carswell
Charlevoix
Chesapeake Bay
Chicxulub
Chiyli
Chukcha
Clearwater East
Clearwater West
Cloud Creek
Connolly Basin
Location
Australia
U.S.A.
Australia
Algeria
Chad
Mauritania
Brazil
Libya
Libya
U.S.A.
Libya
U.S.A.
U.S.A.
Russia
Latitude
S 32 1'
N 36 15'
S 20 55'
N 26 5'
N 19 6'
N 20 15'
S 16 47'
N 22 4'
N 22 4'
N 71 15'
N 25 19'
N 35 2'
N 44 36'
N 71 0'
Longitude
E 135 27'
W 98 12'
E 134 50'
E 4 23'
E 19 15'
W 12 41'
W 52 59'
E 23 45'
E 23 45'
W 156 38'
E 24 20'
W 111 1'
W 113 0'
E 121 40'
Age (Ma)
~590
470 30
1640 600
< 0.1
< 345
3.0 0.3
244.40 3.25
< 140
< 140
3-95
< 120
0.049 0.003
~ 600
40 20
Diameter (km)
90
16
~20
0.45
12.6
0.39
40
6.8
10
12
2
1.186
60
8
Target rock1
C
M
M
S
S
S
M
S
S
S
S
S
M
S
Kazakhstan
Ukraine
Ghana
Australia
Canada
USA
Argentina
Canada
Canada
U.S.A.
Mexico
Kazakhstan
Russia
Canada
Canada
U.S.A.
Australia
N 48 34'
N 48 45'
N 6 30'
S 22 37'
N 46 5'
N 41 50'
S 27 38'
N 58 27'
N 47 32'
N 37 17'
N 21 20'
N 49 10'
N 75 42'
N 56 5'
N 56 13'
N 43 7'
S 23 32'
E 82 1'
E 32 10'
W 1 25'
E 135 12'
W 78 29'
W 85 57'
W 61 42'
W 109 30'
W 70 18'
W 76 1'
W 89 30'
E 57 51'
E 97 48'
W 74 7'
W 74 30'
W 106 45'
E 124 45'
53
65.17 0.64
1.07
0.0540 0.0015
396 20
450 10
< 0.004
115 10
342 15
35.5 0.3
64.98 0.05
46 7
< 70
290 20
290 20
190 30 Ma
< 60
8
24
10.5
0.17
3.8
8.5
0.05
39
54
90
170
5.5
6
26
36
7
9
M
C
C-Ms
C
C
S
M
M
M
M
M
S
M
M
M
S
S
Crater name
Couture
Crawford
Crooked Creek
Dalgaranga
Decaturville
Deep Bay
Dellen
Des Plaines
Dobele
Eagle Butte
Elbow
El'gygytgyn
Flaxman
Flynn Creek
Foelsche
Gardnos
Glasford
Glikson
Glover Bluff
Goat Paddock
Gosses Bluff
Gow
Goyder
Granby
Gusev
Gweni-Fada
Haughton
Haviland
Henbury
Holleford
Ile Rouleau
Ilumets
Ilyinets
Iso-Naakkima
Jnisjrvi
Kaalijrv
Kalkkop
Kaluga
Kamensk
Kara
Kara-Kul
Krdla
Karikkoselk
Karla
Kelly West
Kentland
Keurusselk
Kgagodi
Kursk
La Moinerie
Lappajrvi
Lawn Hill
Liverpool
Lockne
Logancha
Logoisk
Location
Canada
Australia
U.S.A.
Australia
U.S.A.
Canada
Sweden
U.S.A.
Latvia
Canada
Canada
Russia
Australia
U.S.A.
Australia
Norway
U.S.A.
Australia
U.S.A.
Australia
Australia
Canada
Australia
Sweden
Russia
Africa
Canada
U.S.A.
Australia
Canada
Canada
Estonia
Ukraine
Finland
Russia
Estonia
South Africa
Russia
Russia
Russia
Tajikistan
Estonia
Finland
Russia
Australia
U.S.A.
Finland
Botswana
Russia
Canada
Finland
Australia
Australia
Sweden
Russia
Belarus
Latitude
N 60 8'
S 34 43'
N 37 50'
S 27 38'
N 37 54'
N 56 24'
N 61 48'
N 42 3'
N 56 35'
N 49 42'
N 50 59'
N 67 30'
S 34 37'
N 36 17'
S 16 40'
N 60 39'
N 40 36'
S 23 59'
N 43 58'
S 18 20'
S 23 49'
N 56 27'
S 13 9'
N 58 25'
N 48 26'
N 17 25'
N 75 22'
N 37 35'
S 24 34'
N 44 28'
N 50 41'
N 57 58'
N 49 7'
N 62 11'
N 61 58'
N 58 24'
S 32 43'
N 54 30'
N 48 21'
N 69 6'
N 39 1'
N 59 1'
N 62 13'
N 54 55'
S 19 56'
N 40 45'
N 62 8'
S 22 29'
N 51 42'
N 57 26'
N 63 12'
S 18 40'
S 12 24'
N 63 0'
N 65 31'
N 54 12'
Longitude
W 75 20'
E 139 2'
W 91 23'
E 117 17'
W 92 43'
W 102 59'
E 16 48'
W 87 52'
E 23 15'
W 110 30'
W 106 43'
E 172 5'
E 139 4'
W 85 40'
E 136 47'
E 9 0'
W 89 47'
E 121 34'
W 89 32'
E 126 40'
E 132 19'
W 104 29'
E 135 2'
E 14 56'
E 40 32'
E 21 45'
W 89 41'
W 99 10'
E 133 8'
W 76 38'
W 73 53'
E 27 25'
E 29 6'
E 27 9'
E 30 55'
E 22 40'
E 24 34'
E 36 12'
E 40 30'
E 64 9'
E 73 27'
E 22 46'
E 25 15'
E 48 2'
E 133 57'
W 87 24'
E 24 36'
E 27 35'
E 36 0'
W 66 37'
E 23 42'
E 138 39'
E 134 3'
E 14 49'
E 95 56'
E 27 48'
Age (Ma)
430 25
> 35
320 80
~ 0.27
< 300
99 4
89.0 2.7
< 280
290 35
< 65
395 25
3.5 0.5
> 35
360 20
> 545
500 10
< 430
< 508
< 500
< 50
142.5 0.8
< 250
< 1400
~ 470
49.0 0.2
< 345
39 2
< 0.001
.0042 0.0019
550 100
< 300
> 0.002
378 5
> 1000
700 5
0.004 0.001
< 1.8
380 5
49.0 0.2
70.3 2.2
<5
~ 455
< 1.88
51
> 550
< 97
<1800
< 180
250 80
400 50
73.3 5.3
> 515
150 70
455
40 20
42.3 1.1
Diameter (km)
8
8.5
7
0.024
6
13
19
8
4.5
10
8
18
10
3.8
6
5
4
~19
8
5.1
22
5
3
3
3
14
23
0.015
0.157
2.35
4
0.08
8.5
3
14
0.11
0.64
15
25
65
52
4
1.5
10
10
13
30
3.5
6
8
23
18
1.6
7.5
20
15
Target rock1
C
C-Ms
S
C
M
C
C
S
S
S
S
C
C-Ms
S
M
C
S
M
S
S
S
C
S
M
S
S
S
S
S
C
S
S
M
S
C-Ms
S
S
M
S
M
C
M
C
S
C-Ms
S
C
C
M
C
M
M
S
M
M
M
Crater name
Lonar
Lumparn
Macha
Manicouagan
Manson
Maple Creek
Marquez
Middlesboro
Mien
Mishina Gora
Mistastin
Mizarai
Mjlnir
Montagnais
Monturaqui
Morasko
Morokweng
Mount Toondina
Location
India
Finland
Russia
Canada
Iowa, U.S.A.
Canada
U.S.A.
U.S.A.
Sweden
Russia
Canada
Lithuania
Norway
Canada
Chile
Poland
South Africa
South
Australia
Neugrund
Estonia
New Quebec
Canada
Newporte
U.S.A.
Nicholson
Canada
Oasis
Libya
Obolon
Ukraine
Odessa
U.S.A.
Ouarkziz
Algeria
Paasselk
Finland
Piccaninny
Australia
Pilot
Canada
Popigai
Russia
Presqu'ile
Canada
Puchezh-Katunki Russia
Ragozinka
Russia
Red Wing
U.S.A.
Riachao Ring
Brazil
Ries
Germany
Rio Cuarto
Argentina
Rochechouart
France
Rock Elm
U.S.A.
Roter Kamm
Namibia
Rotmistrovka
Ukraine
Sksjrvi
Finland
Saarijrvi
Finland
Saint Martin
Canada
Serpent Mound
Ohio, U.S.A.
Serra da Cangalha Brazil
Shoemaker
Australia
(formerly Teague
Ring)
Shunak
Kazakhstan
Sierra Madera
U.S.A.
Sikhote Alin
Russia
Siljan
Sweden
Slate Islands
Canada
Sobolev
Russia
Latitude
N 19 58'
N 60 9'
N 60 6'
N 51 23'
N 42 35'
N 49 48'
N 31 17'
N 36 37'
N 56 25'
N 58 43'
N 55 53'
N 54 1'
N 73 48'
N 42 53'
S 23 56'
N 52 29'
S 26 28'
S 27 57'
Longitude
E 76 31'
E 20 6'
E 117 35'
W 68 42'
W 94 33'
W 109 6'
W 96 18'
W 83 44'
E 14 52'
E 28 3'
W 63 18'
E 23 54'
E 29 40'
W 64 13'
W 68 17'
E 16 54'
E 23 32'
E 135 22'
Age (Ma)
0.052 0.006
~ 1000
< 0.007
214 1
73.8 0.3
< 75
58 2
< 300
121.0 2.3
300 50
36.4 4
500 20
142.0 2.6
50.50 0.76
<1
< 0.01
145.0 0.8
< 110
Diameter (km)
1.83
9
0.3
100
35
6
12.7
6
9
4
28
5
40
45
0.46
0.1
70
4
Target rock1
C
M
S
M
M
S
S
S
C
M
C
C
S
S
C
S
C
S
N 59 20'
N 61 17'
N 48 58'
N 62 40'
N 24 35'
N 49 35'
N 31 45'
N 29 0'
N 62 2'
S 17 32'
N 60 17'
N 71 39'
N 49 43'
N 56 58'
N 58 44'
N 47 36'
S 7 43'
N 48 53'
S 32 52'
N 45 50'
N 44 43'
S 27 46'
N 49 0'
N 61 24'
N 65 17'
N 51 47'
N 39 2'
S 8 5'
S 25 52'
E 23 40'
W 73 40'
W 101 58'
W 102 41'
E 24 24'
E 32 55'
W 102 29'
W 7 33'
E 29 5'
E 128 25'
W 111 1'
E 111 11'
W 74 48'
E 43 43'
E 61 48'
W 103 33'
W 46 39'
E 10 37'
W 64 14'
E 0 56'
W 92 14'
E 16 18'
E 32 0'
E 22 24'
E 28 23'
W 98 32'
W 83 24'
W 46 52'
E 120 53'
~ 470
1.4 0.1
< 500
< 400
< 120
169 7
< 0.05
< 70
< 1800
< 360
445 2
35.7 0.2
< 500
167 3
46 3
200 25
< 200
15.1 0.1
< 0.1
214 8
< 505
3.7 0.3
120 10
~ 560
> 600
220 32
< 320
< 300
1630 5
8
3.44
3.2
12.5
18
20
0.168
3.5
10
7
6
100
24
80
9
9
4.5
24
1 by 4.5
23
6
2.5
2.7
6
1.5
40
8
12
30
S
C
M
M
S
M
S
S
S
C
M
C
M
M
S
S
M
M
C
S
C
C
M
C
M
S
S
M
N 47 12'
N 30 36'
N 46 7'
N 61 2'
N 48 40'
N 46 18'
E 72 42'
W 102 55'
E 134 40'
E 14 52'
W 87 0'
E 137 52'
45 10
< 100
0.000055
361.0 1.1
~ 450
< 0.001
2.8
13
0.027
52
30
0.053
C
S
C
M
C
M
Crater name
Sderfjrden
Spider
Steen River
Steinheim
Strangways
Suavjrvi
Sudbury
Suvasvesi N
Tabun-Khara-Obo
Talemzane
Tenoumer
Ternovka
Tin Bider
Tookoonooka
Tswaing
(formerly Pretoria
Saltpan)
Tvren
Upheaval Dome
Vargeao Dome
Veevers
Vepriai
Viewfield
Vista Alegre
Vredefort
Wabar
Wanapitei
Wells Creek
West Hawk
Wetumpka
Wolfe Creek
Woodleigh
Yarrabubba
Zapadnaya
Zelenv Gai
Zhamanshin
1
Location
Finland
Australia
Canada
Germany
Australia
Russia
Canada
Finland
Mongolia
Algeria
Mauritania
Ukraine
Algeria
Australia
South Africa
Latitude
N 63 2'
S 16 44'
N 59 30'
N 48 41'
S 15 12'
N 63 7'
N 46 36'
N 62 42'
N 44 6'
N 33 19'
N 22 55'
N 48 08'
N 27 36'
S 27 7'
S 25 24'
Longitude
E 21 35'
E 126 5'
W 117 38'
E 10 4'
E 133 35'
E 33 23'
W 81 11'
E 28 10'
E 109 36'
E 4 2'
W 10 24'
E 33 31'
E 5 7'
E 142 50'
E 28 5'
Age (Ma)
~ 600
> 570
91 7
15 1
646 42
~ 2400
1850 3
< 1000
150 20
<3
0.0214 0.0097
280 10
< 70
128 5
0.220 0.052
Diameter (km)
5.5
13
25
3.8
25
16
250
4
1.3
1.75
1.9
11
6
55
1.13
Target rock1
C
S
M
S
M
C-Ms
C
C
C
S
M
C
S
M
C
Sweden
U.S.A.
Brazil
Australia
Lithuania
Canada
Brazil
South Africa
Saudi Arabia
Canada
U.S.A.
Canada
U.S.A.
Australia
Australia
Australia
Ukraine
Ukraine
Kazakhstan
N 58 46'
N 38 26'
S 26 50'
S 22 58'
N 55 5'
N 49 35'
S 25 57'
S 27 0'
N 21 30'
N 46 45'
N 36 23'
N 49 46'
N 32 31'
S 19 10'
S 26 3'
S 27 10'
N 49 44'
N 48 4'
N 48 24'
E 17 25'
W 109 54'
W 52 7'
E 125 22'
E 24 35'
W 103 4'
W 52 41'
E 27 30'
E 50 28'
W 80 45'
W 87 40'
W 95 11'
W 86 10'
E 127 48'
E 114 39'
E 118 50'
E 29 0'
E 32 45'
E 60 58'
~ 455
< 170
< 70
<1
> 160 10
190 20
< 65
2023 4
0.00014
37.2 1.2
200 100
351 20
81.0 1.5
< 0.3
364 8
~ 2000
165 5
80 20
0.9 0.1
2
10
12
0.08
8
2.5
9.5
300
0.116
7.5
12
2.44
6.5
0.875
40
30
3.2
2.5
14
M
S
M
S
S
S
M
S
C
S
C
M
S
M
C
C
C
M
Abbreviations: C = crystalline target; C-Ms = metasedimentary target; M = mixed target (i.e., sedimentary strata
overlying crystalline basement); S = sedimentary target (i.e., no crystalline rocks affected by the impact event);