Origin of large-volume pseudotachylite in terrestrial impact structures

Research Article| July 01, 2010 Origin of large-volume pseudotachylite in terrestrial impact structures Ulrich Riller; Ulrich Riller 1School of Geography and Earth Sciences & Origins Institute, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Daniel Lieger; Daniel Lieger 2Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Roger L. Gibson; Roger L. Gibson 3Impact Cratering Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, P.O. Wits 2050, Johannesburg, South Africa Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Richard A.F. Grieve; Richard A.F. Grieve 4Earth Sciences Sector, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0E4, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dieter Stöffler Dieter Stöffler 2Museum für Naturkunde, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2010) 38 (7): 619–622. https://doi.org/10.1130/G30806.1 Article history received: 26 Oct 2009 rev-recd: 01 Feb 2010 accepted: 06 Feb 2010 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ulrich Riller, Daniel Lieger, Roger L. Gibson, Richard A.F. Grieve, Dieter Stöffler; Origin of large-volume pseudotachylite in terrestrial impact structures. Geology 2010;; 38 (7): 619–622. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G30806.1 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 Large-volume pseudotachylite bodies in impact structures are dike like and consist of angular and rounded wall-rock fragments enveloped by a microcrystalline and sporadically glassy matrix that crystallized from a melt. Knowledge of the formation of pseudotachylite bodies is important for understanding mechanics of complex crater formation. Most current hypotheses of pseudotachylite formation inherently assume that fragmentation and melt generation occur during a single process. Based on the structure of pseudotachylite bodies at Sudbury (Canada) and Vredefort (South Africa), we show that these processes differ in time and space. We demonstrate that the centimeter- to kilometer-scale bodies are effectively fragment- and melt-filled tension fractures that formed by differential rotation of target rock during cratering. Highly variable pseudotachylite characteristics can be accounted for by a single process, i.e., drainage of initially superheated impact melt into tension fractures of the crater floor. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.