Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
elevation modeling [66] to find RS on the Earth's surface may be effective in
the beginning of search for new craters, which are often difficult to detect in
relief models.
However, these methods are insufficient to identify the origin of the
detected RS. Discriminating the craters of potentially impact origin among
many
RS
requires
new
diagnostic
criteria
associated
with
typical
morphological
elements
revealed
with
advanced
image
processing
technologies.
Figure 28. A fragment of a satellite map of the Ust'-Kamenogorsk area: a
cosmogeological map [64] (a) and an EISC GIS map [6] (b). Symbols stand for: faults
(1), arched structures (2), RS of uncertain or complex origin (3) .
Cosmogenic ring structures (CRSs) can be successfully identified in
tectonically stable areas (on Precambrian cratons and shields) [61] where they
are well preserved due to the absence of magmatism and thick sediments.
However, judging by geological evidence, almost all proven astroblemes in
Russia described by V. Masaitis et al. [67] are buried under sediments or
submerged, except for several craters (Logancha, Beyenchime-Salaatin) that
partially remain on the surface and are detectable by morphological analysis of
aerial photographs. Nevertheless, as real data have shown [1], the original
cosmogenic terrain has been perfectly preserved in many areas of the Earth,
for example, in Lake Balkhash surroundings, in Rudny Altai, Kola Peninsula,
Mexico, Madagascar, and South Africa. Note that many impact craters have
been identified on the Moon and other planets for the past century based
exclusively on morphological criteria [68]. Thus, the morphological elements
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