Cratered cobbles in Triassic Buntsandstein conglomerates in northeastern Spain: An indicator of shock deformation in the vicinity of large impacts

Research Article| January 01, 2001 Cratered cobbles in Triassic Buntsandstein conglomerates in northeastern Spain: An indicator of shock deformation in the vicinity of large impacts Kord Ernstson; Kord Ernstson 1Fakultät für Geowissenschaften, Universität Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael R. Rampino; Michael R. Rampino 2Earth and Environmental Science Program, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA, and NASA, Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, New York 10025, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Michael Hiltl Michael Hiltl 3Physics Directorate, H-Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kord Ernstson 1Fakultät für Geowissenschaften, Universität Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany Michael R. Rampino 2Earth and Environmental Science Program, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA, and NASA, Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, New York 10025, USA Michael Hiltl 3Physics Directorate, H-Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 05 May 2000 Revision Received: 25 Sep 2000 Accepted: 04 Oct 2000 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2001) 29 (1): 11–14. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0011:CCITBC>2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 05 May 2000 Revision Received: 25 Sep 2000 Accepted: 04 Oct 2000 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Kord Ernstson, Michael R. Rampino, Michael Hiltl; Cratered cobbles in Triassic Buntsandstein conglomerates in northeastern Spain: An indicator of shock deformation in the vicinity of large impacts. Geology 2001;; 29 (1): 11–14. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<0011:CCITBC>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Quartzite cobbles in Lower Triassic Buntsandstein conglomerates from northeastern Spain display unusual millimeter- to centimeter-sized circular craters, commonly having central mounds and surrounded by radial fractures. The conglomerates are also marked by intense fracturing down to microscopic scale. These features have traditionally been attributed to tectonic compression and pressure dissolution at cobble contacts. Sections through the cratered cobbles reveal pervasive internal fracturing, segments detached along concave spall fractures, and zones marked by quartz grains with planar deformation features. Comparison with results of impact experiments on artificial conglomerates suggests that these features were produced by internal accelerations, grain collisions, and spallation related to shock-wave propagation through inhomogeneous deposits. The proximity of the outcrops to the Azuara and proposed Rubielos de la Cérida impact structures suggests that shock deformation of conglomerates can provide an easily recognizable regional impact signature. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.