Geologic Evidence
Deformations, folding, faulting and fracturing: *
Numerous small springs rise at the top area of circular structures located on the sloping
bench during high-water table. Believed to be associated with the fracturing of the shale
and sandstone bedrock from which some of the water rises.
bench during high-water table. Believed to be associated with the fracturing of the shale
and sandstone bedrock from which some of the water rises.
Dike breccias where expanding cavities along the side of the mountain have been injected
with layers of fractured shale. Fractured shale layers are more noticeable on the side of
the mountain directly below the points of impacts as oppose to the top of the mountain
where some areas are devoid of the megablocks. Such areas being those which are
noticeable impact points.
with layers of fractured shale. Fractured shale layers are more noticeable on the side of
the mountain directly below the points of impacts as oppose to the top of the mountain
where some areas are devoid of the megablocks. Such areas being those which are
noticeable impact points.
The mountainside and the bench have frequently occurring dislocated megablocks of
shale and sandstone on the surface and emerging from the ground. Megablocks and
layer of broken shale is believed to be the ejecta material tossed, during the impact
process, from the side and top of the mountain.
shale and sandstone on the surface and emerging from the ground. Megablocks and
layer of broken shale is believed to be the ejecta material tossed, during the impact
process, from the side and top of the mountain.
Young dike breccias between the fractured bedrock outcrop that lies directly above one of
the impact structures. I believed that the bedrock outcrop became exposed during the
impact excavation process.
the impact structures. I believed that the bedrock outcrop became exposed during the
impact excavation process.
| Additional photos for this section: Album 2 |
Fractured and burnt pebbles and cobbles from the impact
structure and around the yard. I failed to break the cobble in
pic 1. Deformed red shale cobbles (pic 2).
structure and around the yard. I failed to break the cobble in
pic 1. Deformed red shale cobbles (pic 2).
Pebbles found on the structure's rim, shaped by water travel and covered with soot, were fractured by prior impacts.
Rounded water shaped cobbles and pebbles are scarce on the surface of the bench. Glacial deposited native rocks
and pebbles are deformed, scratched and pitted and/or burnt.
Rounded water shaped cobbles and pebbles are scarce on the surface of the bench. Glacial deposited native rocks
and pebbles are deformed, scratched and pitted and/or burnt.
Haynes, Jr., C. Vance (2008) Younger Dryas ‘‘black mats’’ and the Rancholabrean termination in North America.
Departments of Anthropology and Geosciences, University of Arizona. http://www.pnas.org/content/105/18/6520.full.pdf.
Black Mat photos: http://www.pnas.org/content/105/18/6520/suppl/DC1#F6
Departments of Anthropology and Geosciences, University of Arizona. http://www.pnas.org/content/105/18/6520.full.pdf.
Black Mat photos: http://www.pnas.org/content/105/18/6520/suppl/DC1#F6
References:
Ernstson Claudin Impact Structures. Research on geology, geophysics and petrology of impact structures (meteorite
impact craters). www.impact-structures.com
impact craters). www.impact-structures.com
Metal projectiles from the comet, that fell with enough
force to project them into, and at times, straight through the
rock. This type of rock is black inside with a thin layer of
gray coating on the outside.
force to project them into, and at times, straight through the
rock. This type of rock is black inside with a thin layer of
gray coating on the outside.
| Comet Impact Inquiry |
| "Science Related" not "Scientifically Related" |
Fractured, Burnt Deformed Pebbles & Cobbles / Rocks with Metallic Projectiles
Geologic Evidence is impact criteria no. 3 that covers an area’s structural disturbances and some
of the materials commonly found in and around impact craters and structures. Below, I outline
some of the area’s deformations, folding, faulting and fracturing; show photos of some of the
impact breccias and mega blocks and, burnt and deformed pebbles.
of the materials commonly found in and around impact craters and structures. Below, I outline
some of the area’s deformations, folding, faulting and fracturing; show photos of some of the
impact breccias and mega blocks and, burnt and deformed pebbles.
Another important Geologic Evidence marker of an impact structure is the existence of an exotic
layer of deposits that may include a mix of fragmented rocks, ash, soot, shocked grains of
minerals, glasses such as spherules and tektites, etc. Below, in addition to a cylinder of
drill-core, that shows an exotic layer of glass-like graphitic element, photo is provided of an exotic
layer that is separated from the multicolor soil layer by pebbles surrounded by soot.
layer of deposits that may include a mix of fragmented rocks, ash, soot, shocked grains of
minerals, glasses such as spherules and tektites, etc. Below, in addition to a cylinder of
drill-core, that shows an exotic layer of glass-like graphitic element, photo is provided of an exotic
layer that is separated from the multicolor soil layer by pebbles surrounded by soot.
According to current understanding, "in some cases, the discovery of meteorites, or traces
thereof, can provide unambiguous evidence for an impact origin" (French, 1998). Below are
photos of grayish-white coated fragmented rocks with metal projectiles. Many more photos
applicable to this section available in Album 2!
thereof, can provide unambiguous evidence for an impact origin" (French, 1998). Below are
photos of grayish-white coated fragmented rocks with metal projectiles. Many more photos
applicable to this section available in Album 2!
French B. M. (1998) Traces of Catastrophe: A Handbook of Shock-Metamorphic Effects in Terrestrial Meteorite Impact
Structures. Research Collaborator, Smithsonian Institution. LPI Contribution No. 954, Lunar and Planetary Institute,
Houston. 120 pp.
Structures. Research Collaborator, Smithsonian Institution. LPI Contribution No. 954, Lunar and Planetary Institute,
Houston. 120 pp.
Located in and around the impact structure are fragmented black color rocks coated grayish-white with metal
projectiles from the comet. The projectiles fell with enough force to project them into, and at times, straight through the
rocks. The black color rocks with thin grayish-white coating, having the appearance of "hornsfel", a baked rock that
forms from shales are pseudotachylites__ covered in the High-temperature Impact Melts section.
projectiles from the comet. The projectiles fell with enough force to project them into, and at times, straight through the
rocks. The black color rocks with thin grayish-white coating, having the appearance of "hornsfel", a baked rock that
forms from shales are pseudotachylites__ covered in the High-temperature Impact Melts section.
One of numerouse dislocated megablocks on the side of the mountain (pic 1). Young breccia dike in fractured
bedrock outcrop (pic 2). Large cone shape bedrock outcrop on top of the mountain with what appears to be
shatter cones (pic 3). Large fractured megablocks, left of the cone shaped outcrop on top of the mountain,
block the cone-shape outcrop's view (pic 4)
bedrock outcrop (pic 2). Large cone shape bedrock outcrop on top of the mountain with what appears to be
shatter cones (pic 3). Large fractured megablocks, left of the cone shaped outcrop on top of the mountain,
block the cone-shape outcrop's view (pic 4)
"Black Mat" Layer of Exotic Deposits in and on the Small Impact Structure's Rim:
Monomictic (mortar texture) and Polymictic Impact Breccias (suevite and lithic): rocks displaying mortar texture,
cataclastic flow texture and, rocks displaying shock and un-shock clasts. Note that very little research reference
sources on sedimentary impact breccias, which could distinguish the different breccias, are available to the public on
the internet. As a result, these impact breccias may be impact melt rocks. (Some information on impact on
Sedimentary Target is outline here: http://impact-structures.com/article/article_4.html.) More photos of additional
impactites in Album 2!
cataclastic flow texture and, rocks displaying shock and un-shock clasts. Note that very little research reference
sources on sedimentary impact breccias, which could distinguish the different breccias, are available to the public on
the internet. As a result, these impact breccias may be impact melt rocks. (Some information on impact on
Sedimentary Target is outline here: http://impact-structures.com/article/article_4.html.) More photos of additional
impactites in Album 2!
Mr. Haynes, Jr.'s article, Younger Dryas black mats and the Rancholabrean termination in North America, describes
the layer's distinguishable features and the geomorphic positions favorable for its preservation. This area's bench,
being slope with numerous spring seeps as mentioned in the Area’s Geology section, has similarities with Position 4
on page 3 of the aforementioned article. (http://www.pnas.org/content/105/18/6520.full.pdf).
the layer's distinguishable features and the geomorphic positions favorable for its preservation. This area's bench,
being slope with numerous spring seeps as mentioned in the Area’s Geology section, has similarities with Position 4
on page 3 of the aforementioned article. (http://www.pnas.org/content/105/18/6520.full.pdf).
The High-pressure, High-temperature Shock Metamorphism section addresses pseudotachylite, the glassy obsidian
look-a-like friction-melt and/or shock-melt breccia, formed during the impact process.
look-a-like friction-melt and/or shock-melt breccia, formed during the impact process.
On the carbon layer in drill core, I have only looked at the material long enough with a 30x magnifier to confirm the
presence of translucent crystals. Sizable pieces of translucent crystals were found at the exact point of impact in the
small impact structure where the three test pits were dug. They are shown in the High-pressure Shock Metamorphism
section.
presence of translucent crystals. Sizable pieces of translucent crystals were found at the exact point of impact in the
small impact structure where the three test pits were dug. They are shown in the High-pressure Shock Metamorphism
section.
Impact Breccias
Drill core cylinder with the "Black Mat" deposit of aromatic carbon... quite possible! This is a very fragile layer, hence, the cylinder was
in two pieces and the carbon layer separated easily (photo 1). In all three test pits dug in the circular structure, fractured and angular
rocks and pebbles sits in and are covered with a persistent thick soot that separates the top layer of dark soil from the multicolor soil.
(photo 2). The pebbles and rocks surrounded by thick soot and close-up of the dried soot or ash on fragmented pebbles (photos 3 & 4).
in two pieces and the carbon layer separated easily (photo 1). In all three test pits dug in the circular structure, fractured and angular
rocks and pebbles sits in and are covered with a persistent thick soot that separates the top layer of dark soil from the multicolor soil.
(photo 2). The pebbles and rocks surrounded by thick soot and close-up of the dried soot or ash on fragmented pebbles (photos 3 & 4).
| Photo Albums: |
| 7. Oddballs |
| History |
* Frost riving, the breaking and fracturing of rock by repeated thawing and freezing that result in congelifluction, took place beyond the late
Wisconsinan Glacier’s boundary. No findings on centralized talus, blocky rock debris, or scree in or close to the immediate area to infer that
frost riving and congelifluction took place when the glacier re-advanced, to the Lake Superior Basin, during the Younger Dryas period.
Wisconsinan Glacier’s boundary. No findings on centralized talus, blocky rock debris, or scree in or close to the immediate area to infer that
frost riving and congelifluction took place when the glacier re-advanced, to the Lake Superior Basin, during the Younger Dryas period.
Notes: