Shatter Cones & Special Evidence
| Additional photos for this section: Album 5 |
| Comet Impact Inquiry |
| "Science Related" not "Scientifically Related" |
Thought to arise from intense shock, shatter cones are conical shaped rocks with evenly
spaced “horse tail” markings or “cleavages” radiating away from the apex of the cone. This
Shatter Cones section covers proof for impact criteria no. 6 and shows the spectrum of
conically shaped shock-affected Sedimentary rocks with both “horse tail” markings and
“cleavages”. Additional shatter cone photos in Album 5!
spaced “horse tail” markings or “cleavages” radiating away from the apex of the cone. This
Shatter Cones section covers proof for impact criteria no. 6 and shows the spectrum of
conically shaped shock-affected Sedimentary rocks with both “horse tail” markings and
“cleavages”. Additional shatter cone photos in Album 5!
The area down to and well-below bedrock or basement is composed of Sedimentary rock
types of red, blue and gray sandstone, gray and black shale, impure limestone, chert and
flagstone. Shatter cones are best developed in Metamorphic lithology where they show
“horse tail” markings as oppose to Sedimentary lithology where the slaty rocks are more
prone to develop “cleavages”. “In the extreme, shatter cones may degenerate into shatter
cleavage (in slaty rocks)” (Ernstson – Fig 6. - http://www.impact-structures.
com/shattercone/shattercone_worldwide.html).
types of red, blue and gray sandstone, gray and black shale, impure limestone, chert and
flagstone. Shatter cones are best developed in Metamorphic lithology where they show
“horse tail” markings as oppose to Sedimentary lithology where the slaty rocks are more
prone to develop “cleavages”. “In the extreme, shatter cones may degenerate into shatter
cleavage (in slaty rocks)” (Ernstson – Fig 6. - http://www.impact-structures.
com/shattercone/shattercone_worldwide.html).
Additionally, it was proposed that following a comet’s impact with the Earth’s atmosphere,
cometary fragments would likely rain for days. Based on the larger impact structures on the
side and top of the mountain and the soil below the soot line containing only small angular
pebbles, clay, silt and charcoal, these shatter cones experienced shock when ejected from
the mountain by a larger impact prior to experiencing further shock within the smaller impact
structure. Thus, quite a number of these shatter cones, taken from point of impact in the
small circular structure, show “cleavages”.
cometary fragments would likely rain for days. Based on the larger impact structures on the
side and top of the mountain and the soil below the soot line containing only small angular
pebbles, clay, silt and charcoal, these shatter cones experienced shock when ejected from
the mountain by a larger impact prior to experiencing further shock within the smaller impact
structure. Thus, quite a number of these shatter cones, taken from point of impact in the
small circular structure, show “cleavages”.
Shatter cones of pseudotachylite - shock-melt rocks! These rocks, when chipped, are black on the
inside__having the appearance of hornfels, a baked rock that forms from shale (photo 3 show a chip at
bottom right). They are not limestones and breaks with conchoidal fractures. I believe these rocks are ejecta
from either of the impact structures on the side or top of the mountain. Taken directly from the point of
impact in the smaller structure where they experienced further shock.
inside__having the appearance of hornfels, a baked rock that forms from shale (photo 3 show a chip at
bottom right). They are not limestones and breaks with conchoidal fractures. I believe these rocks are ejecta
from either of the impact structures on the side or top of the mountain. Taken directly from the point of
impact in the smaller structure where they experienced further shock.
A few odd Shatter cones: A previously impact melt rock with a cometary fragment projectile hole... I
washed this one away. More targeted melt rocks with metal projectiles can be seen in Album 2 (photo 1).
Shatter cones with curved apex appear very closely to mid-center of the impact structure (photo 2). Impact
craters on shatter cone __ based on the numerous indentations on this rock, it appears that this rock was a
portion of the immediate target (photo 3). Cometary fragment shatter cones... could be portions of the
impactor that created the small impact structure. Only, there are many structures around, thus, these could
be ejecta from a previously created structures that was later shocked in this structure.
washed this one away. More targeted melt rocks with metal projectiles can be seen in Album 2 (photo 1).
Shatter cones with curved apex appear very closely to mid-center of the impact structure (photo 2). Impact
craters on shatter cone __ based on the numerous indentations on this rock, it appears that this rock was a
portion of the immediate target (photo 3). Cometary fragment shatter cones... could be portions of the
impactor that created the small impact structure. Only, there are many structures around, thus, these could
be ejecta from a previously created structures that was later shocked in this structure.
Photo 1
Photo 4
Photo 3
Photo 2
Very close to mid-center of the impact structure, some shatter cones develop two conical apexes. One pointing towards the point of
impact and another down (photo 1). Shatter cone with cleavages and developing cones on its side (photo 2). Tuff, a sedimentary
fragmented rock with impact melt minerals, in round clasts, in the shape of a shatter cone with cleavages. Majority of the clasts have
weathered to orange color (photo 3). While excavating one-half of the point of impact, shatter cones of fragmented pebble constitution
started pointing upwards as oppose to downwards (photo 4). Slaty rock shatter cones with horse tail markings in a cone-on-cone formation.
impact and another down (photo 1). Shatter cone with cleavages and developing cones on its side (photo 2). Tuff, a sedimentary
fragmented rock with impact melt minerals, in round clasts, in the shape of a shatter cone with cleavages. Majority of the clasts have
weathered to orange color (photo 3). While excavating one-half of the point of impact, shatter cones of fragmented pebble constitution
started pointing upwards as oppose to downwards (photo 4). Slaty rock shatter cones with horse tail markings in a cone-on-cone formation.
Photo 1
Photo 5
Photo 4
Photo 3
Photo 2
Many of the above shatter cones border on the bizarre side. Bizarre, in that, they are not the standard shown on the
internet, whereby, seen are those only with the basic “horse tail” markings. Having shown some of standard, i.e., with
“horse tail” markings, “cleavages” and “cone-on-cone”, I have taken the liberty to include some with “curved apexes,”
“apexes pointing in different directions” and some which are shatter cones form of previously impact melt rocks.
internet, whereby, seen are those only with the basic “horse tail” markings. Having shown some of standard, i.e., with
“horse tail” markings, “cleavages” and “cone-on-cone”, I have taken the liberty to include some with “curved apexes,”
“apexes pointing in different directions” and some which are shatter cones form of previously impact melt rocks.
Photos of shatter cones created in rocks of slaty nature are hard to find on the net. Further, I get the feeling, from
research articles, that if the rock, being of conical shape in a proven impact structure, does not have “horse tail”
markings or “cleavages,” it is not considered a shatter cone. That is rather misleading since many of the
pseudotachylites, impact melt rock of a glassy nature, while having a conical shape, developed neither the “horse tail”
markings nor “cleavages.” Well, at least, they did not develop markings visible to the naked eye.
research articles, that if the rock, being of conical shape in a proven impact structure, does not have “horse tail”
markings or “cleavages,” it is not considered a shatter cone. That is rather misleading since many of the
pseudotachylites, impact melt rock of a glassy nature, while having a conical shape, developed neither the “horse tail”
markings nor “cleavages.” Well, at least, they did not develop markings visible to the naked eye.
Ernstson Claudin Impact Structures. Research on geology, geophysics and petrology of impact structures (meteorite
impact craters). "The Shatter Cone Page." [http://www.impact-structures.com/shattercone/shatterconepage.html]
impact craters). "The Shatter Cone Page." [http://www.impact-structures.com/shattercone/shatterconepage.html]
References:
The Special Evidence section covers proof for impact criteria no. 7 and, shows the “other evidence.” You know, the
ones on which the scientist based or “proposed” a “hypothesis” for extra-terrestrial impact when everything else is
missing. Not to be tried by John Public! Some of the other evidence include micro and/or nanodiamonds; lapilli __ ash
balls or spherules; impact carbon and/or glass spherules; tektite-like melt glass or glass bombs and glass-like carbon.
ones on which the scientist based or “proposed” a “hypothesis” for extra-terrestrial impact when everything else is
missing. Not to be tried by John Public! Some of the other evidence include micro and/or nanodiamonds; lapilli __ ash
balls or spherules; impact carbon and/or glass spherules; tektite-like melt glass or glass bombs and glass-like carbon.
Special Evidence:
I do not believe that spherules of ash would last in this temperate climate. If they manage to survive the weather, I
imagine they look like every other tiny clump of dirt around here.
imagine they look like every other tiny clump of dirt around here.
My lab equipment includes a microscope that goes to 300x and a 30x magnifier so I can rule out presenting micro
and/or nanodiamonds. Moreover, I would not be able to recognize them.
and/or nanodiamonds. Moreover, I would not be able to recognize them.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Glass-like carbon fragments with crustal evidence of experiencing high heat show areas dotted with tiny luminescent crystals. Glass-like
carbon is covered in more detail in the Impact Melt section (photos 1 & 2). Transparent to semi-transparent crystals found mid-center of
the small impact structure. As there as many faces of different sizes and shapes on each side of the crystals, it is difficult to discern a
basic shape on which to base the crystals’ structures. The faces do have similarities in shape and being unfinished in form to the layers
seen on the glass-like carbon. One of the crystals has an indentation similar to those in the glass-like carbon. Quite possible, they are
polymorphs of the glass-like carbon to lonsdaleite__ the diamond that form under extreme pressure and heat generated by an impact.
Covered in High-pressure Shock Metamorphism section (photos 3 - 5).
carbon is covered in more detail in the Impact Melt section (photos 1 & 2). Transparent to semi-transparent crystals found mid-center of
the small impact structure. As there as many faces of different sizes and shapes on each side of the crystals, it is difficult to discern a
basic shape on which to base the crystals’ structures. The faces do have similarities in shape and being unfinished in form to the layers
seen on the glass-like carbon. One of the crystals has an indentation similar to those in the glass-like carbon. Quite possible, they are
polymorphs of the glass-like carbon to lonsdaleite__ the diamond that form under extreme pressure and heat generated by an impact.
Covered in High-pressure Shock Metamorphism section (photos 3 - 5).
Photo 3
Photo 5
Photo 4
Magnetic fragment of the comet with the appearance of Carbonado “black” diamond that was recently confirmed to have extra-terrestrial
origins. The black diamond outer surface shows melt flow on one side. The other side, with small black crystals, has flow-like transparent
material that is part colorless and part orange... likely from rust (photos 1 & 2). Close-ups of the Carbonado diamond surface (photos 3 - 5).
origins. The black diamond outer surface shows melt flow on one side. The other side, with small black crystals, has flow-like transparent
material that is part colorless and part orange... likely from rust (photos 1 & 2). Close-ups of the Carbonado diamond surface (photos 3 - 5).
Photo 1
Photo 5
Photo 4
Photo 3
Photo 2
Diamonds from Outer Space: Geologists Discover Origin of Earth's Mysterious Black Diamonds (2/2007)
[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=07-X2]
[http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/pr/PR_display.asp?prID=07-X2]
Firestone et al. (2007). Evidence for an extraterrestrial impact 12,900 years ago that contributed to the megafaunal
extinctions and the Younger Dryas cooling [http://www.pnas.org/content/104/41/16016.full]
[http://ie.lbl.gov/mammoth/PNASSupporting.pdf]
extinctions and the Younger Dryas cooling [http://www.pnas.org/content/104/41/16016.full]
[http://ie.lbl.gov/mammoth/PNASSupporting.pdf]
Jozsef Garai, Stephen E. Haggerty, Sandeep Rekhi, and Mark Chance (2006). Infrared Absorption Investigations Confirm
the Extraterrestrial Origin of Carbonado-Diamonds
[http://www.garai-research.com/research%20statement/carbonado/carbonado-infrared.htm]
the Extraterrestrial Origin of Carbonado-Diamonds
[http://www.garai-research.com/research%20statement/carbonado/carbonado-infrared.htm]
Group of magnetic grains, mini tektites or glass bombs in several cm sizes and different shapes (photo 1). Glass spherules, said to be high
in titanomagnetite, showing in several sizes from micro to mini (photo 2). Glass sphere of different colors (photo 3). Carbon spherules,
said to contain nanodiamonds, showing in several sizes from micro to mini (photo 4). Melt drops of different shapes (photo 5). Photos
taken under 30x magnifier... more photos in the Album!
in titanomagnetite, showing in several sizes from micro to mini (photo 2). Glass sphere of different colors (photo 3). Carbon spherules,
said to contain nanodiamonds, showing in several sizes from micro to mini (photo 4). Melt drops of different shapes (photo 5). Photos
taken under 30x magnifier... more photos in the Album!
Based on the research of others, the glass-like carbon contains nanodiamonds within its layers and some layers do
show crystals. Magnetic carbon spherules, produced from intense heat, are said to have nanodiamonds and
fullerenes. Further, the Carbonado “black” Diamond was confirmed, recently, to be of extra-terrestial origin.
show crystals. Magnetic carbon spherules, produced from intense heat, are said to have nanodiamonds and
fullerenes. Further, the Carbonado “black” Diamond was confirmed, recently, to be of extra-terrestial origin.
Magnetic grains, mini tektites or glass bombs, in several cm sizes, are found in areas around the world referred to as
strewn fields. Not surprising, this area shows numerous impact structures. They include glass spheres, elongated,
tear drop shaped or rounded splash form tektites, flange button, etc
strewn fields. Not surprising, this area shows numerous impact structures. They include glass spheres, elongated,
tear drop shaped or rounded splash form tektites, flange button, etc
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
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