Space
Double Crater was Created by an Impact Powerful Enough to Dry the Ocean
Catherine Griffin
First Posted: Sep 12, 2015 09:02 PM EDT
Scientists have discovered traces of two enormous meteorite impacts in Sweden. The twin strike occurred around 460 million years ago, and may reveal a bit more about our planet's early history.
The researchers found one of the craters about 20 kilometers south of Ostersun in Brunsflo. The crater itself is enormous, with a diameter of 7.5 kilometers. The small crater is located about 16 kilometers from the first crater's site and has a diameter of about 700 meters.
"Around 470 million years ago, two large asteroids collided in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and many fragments were thrown off in new orbits," said Erik Sturkell, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Many of these crashed on Earth, just as these two in Jamtland."
At the time, Jamtland was under the sea. There was a water depth of about 500 meters where the meteorites struck simultaneous. Double impacts like these are extremely rare, yet they can happen.
"Information from drilling operations demonstrates that identical sequences are present in the two craters and the sediment above the impact sequences is of the same age," said Sturkell. "In other words, there are simultaneous impacts."
The impacts were so forceful that for a hundred seconds, these enormous pits were completely dry. Then the water rushed back in, bringing with it fragments from the meteorites mixed with material that had been ejected during the explosion with the massive wave that tore apart parts of the seabed.
The findings reveal a bit more about these impacts. More specifically, it shows how these impacts influenced Earth in the distant past.
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First Posted: Sep 12, 2015 09:02 PM EDT
Scientists have discovered traces of two enormous meteorite impacts in Sweden. The twin strike occurred around 460 million years ago, and may reveal a bit more about our planet's early history.
The researchers found one of the craters about 20 kilometers south of Ostersun in Brunsflo. The crater itself is enormous, with a diameter of 7.5 kilometers. The small crater is located about 16 kilometers from the first crater's site and has a diameter of about 700 meters.
"Around 470 million years ago, two large asteroids collided in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and many fragments were thrown off in new orbits," said Erik Sturkell, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Many of these crashed on Earth, just as these two in Jamtland."
At the time, Jamtland was under the sea. There was a water depth of about 500 meters where the meteorites struck simultaneous. Double impacts like these are extremely rare, yet they can happen.
"Information from drilling operations demonstrates that identical sequences are present in the two craters and the sediment above the impact sequences is of the same age," said Sturkell. "In other words, there are simultaneous impacts."
The impacts were so forceful that for a hundred seconds, these enormous pits were completely dry. Then the water rushed back in, bringing with it fragments from the meteorites mixed with material that had been ejected during the explosion with the massive wave that tore apart parts of the seabed.
The findings reveal a bit more about these impacts. More specifically, it shows how these impacts influenced Earth in the distant past.
Related Stories
Carbon Uptake Upswing in the Southern Ocean Removes Human-Caused CO2 (VIDEO)
Climate Change: Saving Fish is Key to Saving Coral Reefs
For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).
See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone