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A steeply-inclined trajectory for the Chicxulub impact

Author

Listed:
  • G. S. Collins

    (Imperial College London)

  • N. Patel

    (Imperial College London)

  • T. M. Davison

    (Imperial College London)

  • A. S. P. Rae

    (Imperial College London
    University of Freiburg)

  • J. V. Morgan

    (Imperial College London)

  • S. P. S. Gulick

    (University of Texas at Austin)

Abstract

The environmental severity of large impacts on Earth is influenced by their impact trajectory. Impact direction and angle to the target plane affect the volume and depth of origin of vaporized target, as well as the trajectories of ejected material. The asteroid impact that formed the 66 Ma Chicxulub crater had a profound and catastrophic effect on Earth’s environment, but the impact trajectory is debated. Here we show that impact angle and direction can be diagnosed by asymmetries in the subsurface structure of the Chicxulub crater. Comparison of 3D numerical simulations of Chicxulub-scale impacts with geophysical observations suggests that the Chicxulub crater was formed by a steeply-inclined (45–60° to horizontal) impact from the northeast; several lines of evidence rule out a low angle (

Suggested Citation

  • G. S. Collins & N. Patel & T. M. Davison & A. S. P. Rae & J. V. Morgan & S. P. S. Gulick, 2020. "A steeply-inclined trajectory for the Chicxulub impact," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-15269-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-15269-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Timothy Titus & D. Robertson & J. B. Sankey & L. Mastin & F. Rengers, 2023. "A review of common natural disasters as analogs for asteroid impact effects and cascading hazards," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 116(2), pages 1355-1402, March.

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