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Geochemical signals of the late Jurassic, marine Mjølnir impact
Author(s) -
DYPVIK Henning,
ATTREP Moses
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
meteoritics and planetary science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.09
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1945-5100
pISSN - 1086-9379
DOI - 10.1111/j.1945-5100.1999.tb01348.x
Subject(s) - impact crater , geology , ejecta , sedimentary depositional environment , geochemistry , quartz , paleontology , astrobiology , structural basin , physics , quantum mechanics , supernova
— Of the only seven submarine impact craters that have been found globally, the Mjølnir crater is one of the best preserved and retains crater and ejecta. Geochemical studies (organic pyrolysis using the Rock Eval technique and XRF analysis for major, minor, and trace elements) of the Institute for Petroleum Research (IKU) core 7430/10‐U‐01 that was taken from a drillhole located ∼30 km north‐northeast of the crater rim show gradual establishment of anoxic sea floor conditions through the late Jurassic. These poorly ventilated water conditions were overturned due to the Mjølnir impact event. Waves and currents transported impact glass (which is now partly weathered to smectite) into the depositional area where the drillhole is located. The succeeding crater collapse transported impact material ( e.g. , shocked quartz and Ir) from the crater rim and deeper levels to the core site. Normal marine depositional conditions were established a short time after the crater collapsed.