Back to search

FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek

The Ritland impact crater - Appearance and mechanisms of formation

Awarded: NOK 6.1 mill.

The objectives of the project will be met by detailed studies in the field, laboratory analyses and numerical modelling. The field studies will cover the impact rocks, the fractured basement rocks and the post-impact crater infill sequence, including sear ch for ejected material. We will utilise the 3-dimensional erosional cut and the excellent exposures of the Ritland crater to reconstruct the original crater shape and the history of crater infilling by applying petroleum industry software (Petrel). This reconstruction will be the base for modeling the mechanics of crater formation (Shuvalov). The basement fracturing will be documented in sections with continuous detailed photographic coverage. Using the crater model, the sections can then be analysed wi th reference to their original xyz location relative to the pre-erosional crater strucure. Geochemical studies will be carried out on samples of the impact rocks with suevite-like textures, as well as on selected post-impact sediments from the lowermost part of the crater structure. If the new field-work succeeds in finding ejecta material, this will also be included. Analyses of the platinum group elements as well as Os and Cr isotopes will be carried out at the University of Vienna, to obtain informati on about the impactor. We will also look into the possibility of radiometric dating of glass samples. The excellent exposures of fractured basement and crater fill of the Ritland Crater are complementary to, and will be compared with the Gardnos Crater, w hich is larger, more complex and with more scattered exposures. Elin Kalleson will finish her PhD on Gardnos in 2008 and her experience will be important for a flying start of this project. It is an objective to document the Ritland Crater as a reference area for future scientific studies. The project also aims to use the Ritland rater to develop interest for geology and natural sciences in the local community and the region.

Funding scheme:

FRINATEK-Fri prosj.st. mat.,naturv.,tek