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Untrackable distal ejecta on planetary surfaces

Author

Listed:
  • Rui Xu

    (Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Zhiyong Xiao

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology)

  • Fanglu Luo

    (Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Yichen Wang

    (Sun Yat-sen University)

  • Jun Cui

    (Sun Yat-sen University
    CAS Center for Excellence in Comparative Planetology)

Abstract

Impact ejecta are important references to establish regional and global stratigraphy of planetary bodies. Canonical views advocate radial distributions of distal ejecta with respect to the source crater, and their trajectories are significantly deflected on fast-rotating bodies. The Hokusai crater on Mercury formed a peculiar ray that features a hyperbola shape, and the sharp swerve of orientation was interpreted as a sign of a faster planetary rotation in the near past. Here, we show that this ray was not caused by a hypothesized larger Coriolis force, but due to abruptly-steepened ejection angles. Heterogeneous shock impedances of pre-impact impactor and/or target, such as topographic undulations, affect local propagation paths of shock and rarefaction waves, causing sudden changes of ejection angles. Distal ejecta with non-radial distributions are an inherent product of planetary impacts, and their unobvious provenances could mislead stratigraphic interpretations and hamper age estimations based on spatial densities of impact craters.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Xu & Zhiyong Xiao & Fanglu Luo & Yichen Wang & Jun Cui, 2023. "Untrackable distal ejecta on planetary surfaces," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36771-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36771-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. A. Lagain & G. K. Benedix & K. Servis & D. Baratoux & L. S. Doucet & A. Rajšic & H. A. R. Devillepoix & P. A. Bland & M. C. Towner & E. K. Sansom & K. Miljković, 2021. "The Tharsis mantle source of depleted shergottites revealed by 90 million impact craters," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
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