Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 3.23. The general sequence of events in an
impact involves the initial contact of the bolide with
the target, resulting in ejection of target material,
vaporization of parts of both the target and the
bolide, formation of the transient cavity, and the
post-impact modi
cations, such as slumping of the
crater walls and rebound of the crater
floor (from
French,
1998
, after Gault et al.,
1968
, reprinted with
permission of the Lunar and Planetary Institute).
observed only on craters larger than a few kilometers in
diameter on Earth (there is no central uplift at Meteor
Crater), and it appears that such features require a certain
minimum impact energy to form. Although the causes of
central uplift are not well defined, they are generally
considered to be the result of elastic rebound of the
rocks immediately following the excavation of the crater
bowl.
