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Impact-induced devolatilization of CaSO4 anhydrite and implications for K-T extinctions: Preliminary resultsThe recent suggestions that the target area for the K-T bolide may have been a sulfate-rich evaporite and that the resulting sulfuric acid-rich aerosol was responsible for the subsequent cooling of the Earth and the resulting biological extinctions has prompted us to experimentally examine the impact-induced devolatization of the sulfate minerals anhydrite (CaSO4) and gypsum (CaSO4(2H2O)). Preliminary results for anhydrite are reported. Up to 42 GPa peak shock pressure, little or no devolatilization occurs, consistent with chemical thermodynamic calculations. Calculation of the influence of the partial pressure of the gas species on impact-induced devolatilization suggests that an even greater amount of sulfur than that proposed by Brett could have been released to the atmosphere by an impact into a sulfate-rich layer. Solid recovery, impact-induced devolatilization experiments were performed on the Caltech 20mm gun using vented, stainless steel sample assemblies.
Document ID
19940016367
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Tyburczy, James A.
(Arizona State Univ. Tempe, AZ, United States)
Ahrens, Thomas J.
(California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena., 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 3: N-Z
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
94N20840
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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