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Projectile-target mixing in melted ejecta formed during a hypervelocity impact cratering eventTektites contain little to no projectile contamination while, in contrast, some distal ejecta deposits can be relatively projectile-rich (e.g. the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary clay). This compositional difference motivated an experimental study of hypervelocity target-projectile mixing processes. We hope to scale up the results from these experiments and apply them to terrestrial impact structures like the Chicxulub Crater, Yucutan, Mexico, the leading contender as the site for the impact that caused the mass extinction that marks the K-T boundary. Shock decomposition of the approximately 500m thickness of anhydrite, or greater thickness of limestone, in the target rocks at Chicxulub may have been a critical mechanism for either global cooling via SO3, and subsequently H2SO4, formation, or possibly, global warming via increased CO2 formation. Understanding target-projectile mixing processes during hypervelocity impact may permit more accurate estimates of the amount of potentially toxic, target-derived material reaching stratospheric heights.
Document ID
19940007769
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Evans, Noreen Joyce
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Ahrens, Thomas J.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Shahinpoor, M.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Anderson, W. W.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1993
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Twenty-fourth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Part 1: A-F
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
94N12241
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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