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The terrestrial impact crater record: A statistical analysis of morphologies, structures, ages, lithologies, and more
Author(s) -
Kenkmann Thomas
Publication year - 2021
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/maps.13657
Subject(s) - impact crater , impact structure , petrography , geology , lithology , shock (circulatory) , erosion , physical geography , paleontology , astrobiology , geography , physics , medicine
The number of newly discovered and confirmed impact structures on earth is growing continuously. In this review paper, the main attributes of 198 confirmed impact structures and 10 further structures, for which final confirmation based on the identification of shock features is not yet entirely satisfying, are presented. The impact craters are compared statistically, with regard to their morphology, structure, and status of erosion or burial. The size– and age–frequency distributions of terrestrial impact structures are presented. Additional aspects concern target petrography and shock effects found in the craters. Based on the discovery statistics of presently known crater structures, an estimate can be made of the number of craters that await discovery. The paper is complementary to the recently published atlas of terrestrial impact structures by Gottwald et al. (2020).