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Black Rock Desert Impact Theory
The document discusses the Black Rock Desert impact theory, which suggests an eroded impact crater in northwest Nevada, proposed by Ian Kluft. It outlines the origins of the theory, the scientific methods for proving it, and current observations supporting the impact hypothesis, including unique geological features and anomalies. Future research plans aim to gather more evidence and publish findings to establish the theory formally.
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Black Rock Desert Impact Theory
- 1. BBllaacckk RRoocckk DDeesseerrttIImmppaacctt TThheeoorryy Presented by Ian Kluft California Meteorite Club Escondido, California September 14, 2014
- 2. Black Rock DesertImpact Theory ● Black Rock Desert is in northwest Nevada – 2 hour drive north of Reno ● This theory proposes an impact structure (eroded crater) ● Presentation order – How the theory started – Science of impact craters on Earth – Current observations at Black Rock – Upcoming research plans
- 3. Current research status ● Scientific method usually goes in this order – Propose and test hypotheses – Investigate theories – Publish peer-reviewed papers ● This is currently a theory ● There isn't a peer reviewed paper... yet – But that's the goal ● The evidence one way or the other exists in the rocks – The data will tell the story
- 4. How the BlackRock Crater Theory started ● attempts at 1st amateur rocket to space 1998-2004 ● exploring Black Rock Range in rocket search area 2002-2005 ● bizarre rocks, "strangest volcano I've ever seen" 2002-2006 – I've seen large & small, old and young volcanoes at Mt Shasta area – At Black Rock I didn't see volcanic structures: lava flows, cinder cones, etc – Some rocks are the right color to look like lava ● impact crater theory 2007-present ● outline found in mountains 2009 ● I had to learn about the science of impact crater recognition...
- 5. Science of ImpactCraters “Traces of Catastrophe” by Bevan M French This book by a Smithsonian Institution geologist has become the definitive resource on the science of impact craters. You can download the PDF e-book at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/books/CB-954/CB-954.intro.html Image: Lunar & Planetary Institute
- 6. Science of ImpactCraters Differences from traditional Geology ● "Cryptoexplosion structures" – Until the 1960's, geologists didn't believe there were any impact craters on Earth – “cryptoexplosion” was used for unexplained explosion structures ● Slow processes vs instantaneous – Traditional geology wants all processes to be over millions of years ● Impacts are rare on Earth – Unlike other rocky bodies in the solar system, Earth slowly erases its craters ● Enormously energetic – Asteroids never make soft landings – These are violent explosions that entirely destroy the impactor
- 7. Science of ImpactCraters Eugene Shoemaker (1928-1997) ● founder of impact geology ● studied structure of NV nuke test craters ● discovered Barringer Crater has same structure ● theorized Earth is covered in craters – like the Moon ● studied/proved many impact craters ● co-discoverer of SL9 comet that impacted Jupiter in 1994 – made Earth aware of impact threat Image: USGS via Wikipedia
- 8. Science of ImpactCraters Formation of impacts ● Crater about 10-20 times diameter of impactor – Depends mostly on speed - minimum 25,000 mph ● hypervelocity impact destroys impactor – mostly melted ● contact/compression stage – extreme shock on rocks ● excavation stage – explosion blows out crater
- 9. Science of ImpactCraters Formation of impacts (cont'd) ● modification stage – debris falls down – hot rocks cool down ● larger impacts, complex craters – over 10km diameter on Earth – terrace collapses on rim – central uplift pushed up from sides – uplift ring in largest craters Image: NASA via Wikipedia
- 10. Science of ImpactCraters Decay Processes â—Ź Earth slowly destroys its craters â—Ź Erosion wears them away â—Ź Faulting distorts them â—Ź New layers bury them â—Ź Plate tectonics slowly erases and renews the crust â—Ź But the Moon still shows what firing line the Earth is in
- 11. Science of ImpactCraters How to Recognize Them â—Ź from Traces of Catastrophe, Appendix 1 â—Ź occurs in any kind of bedrock â—Ź generally single structures â—Ź generally circular â—Ź nearly any size: <1km to >100km â—Ź relatively shallow, not a deep structure
- 12. Science of ImpactCraters How to Recognize Them (cont'd) ● anomalous feature within region – unusual geology in circular area – local deformation, faulting, breccias – unusual breccias within structure – possible central uplift peak or ring – shatter cones ● one form of proof of impact ● conical shock fractures – even volcanoes can't make them
- 13. Science of ImpactCraters How to Recognize Them (cont'd) ● Look for geologic mysteries in literature – intense, sudden, localized – conventional explanations fail – unusual “volcanic” explosions ● Measure geophysical attributes – gravity – magnetic – seismic
- 14. Science of ImpactCraters How to Recognize Them (cont'd) ● rock types – breccias ● Broken up and re-cemented rocks ● Always present in impacts, can be formed other ways too – melt rocks ● Igneous rocks, but contents come from melting local target rocks ● microscopic shock effects – Deformation, fracturing, melting – Most proof of impact requires an electron microscope
- 15. Science of ImpactCraters How to Recognize Them (cont'd) ● Go explore confirmed impact sites ● I've visited... – Barringer Crater (Meteor Crater) AZ – Upheaval Dome, UT – Sierra Madera Crater, TX – Santa Fe Impact Structure, NM – Middlesboro, KY – Wells Creek & Flynn Creek, TN – Odessa Crater, TX ● Share your pictures – I've posted many on Wikipedia over the years
- 16. Current observations ●Observations started with rocks in 2007 – Trips to explore and observe at Black Rock – Online study: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology ● Located at University of Nevada, Reno ● Scanned geological filings back to late 1800's ● Outline found in 2009 – Yes, it took 2 years! – It's heavily eroded Photo by Ian Kluft
- 17. Current observations (cont'd) ● Breccia (broken/re-cemented rocks) above fractured basement rocks – We find this many places at Black Rock Desert, miles and miles apart – Impact theory suggests these are rocks that got smashed, and rocks that landed on them – Best examples so far in Black Rock Range Photo by Ian Kluft
- 18. Current observations (cont'd) ● Close spacing between joints in basement rocks show intense stress – Credit to Bob Verish for making this important observation – Joints are larger cracks, like mini-faultlines – After he pointed this out, we've found basement rocks across miles with narrow criss-crossing jointing Photo by Ian Kluft
- 19. Current observations (cont'd) â—Ź Testing the hypothesis: These structures in the Black Rock Range (and elsewhere in the region) look like volcanic necks. â—Ź If they are, it would point toward volcanic origin and away from the impact theory. Photo by Ian Kluft
- 20. Current observations (cont'd) ● The supposed “volcanic necks” are actually made of breccia! They are gigantic breccia dikes. ● This points toward an impact origin and away from volcanic. ● It suggests impact debris that filled giant cracks. Photo by Ian Kluft
- 21. Current observations 87km/ 54 mile Ring in the Mountains â—Ź 9 mountain ranges are either arc-shaped or change elevation significantly on the circle. â—Ź Crutcher Canyon is concentric outside the circle, apparent rim terrace collapse â—Ź Kamma Mountains are concentric inside the circle, apparent uplift ring Terrain map by Google Maps, annotations by Ian Kluft
- 22. Current observations 87km/ 54 mile Ring in the Mountains (cont'd) ● All the highest peaks of the Black Rock region are on the circle. ● All streams in the Black Rock watershed flow into the circle and sink into the playa. – The Quinn River Sink (lowest point) is at the center of the circle. ● Volcanoes do not make nice circles on this scale! – Compare to Yellowstone Caldera: 55x72km / 34x45 miles – The scale and quality of the circle point to an impact, not a volcano
- 23. Current observations Whyno shatter cones? ● Shatter cones are only proof of impact that don't require an electron microscope ● At first I wanted to focus on looking for them – It seemed easier ● Shatter cones occur in a very small percentage of the radius – At Black Rock, there is apparently an uplift ring – So the bedrock at the center is buried under the lakebed ● I realized this while visiting Middlesboro Crater in Kentucky
- 24. Geologic mysteries atBlack Rock Soldier Meadows Tuff ● A “tuff” is a volcanic ashfall deposit ● 1980 MS thesis by Edmund Stuart describes a mystery ● Soldier Meadows Tuff is a single “cooling unit” - it all came down in one sudden event, over 200m thick. ● Where's such an enormous volcano nearby? Photo by Ian Kluft
- 25. Geologic mysteries atBlack Rock Soldier Meadows Tuff (cont'd) ● Impact theory suggestions about Soldier Meadows Tuff – It is located just outside the 87km ring where ejecta is expected – It would have landed in one sudden event, as observed – It would be very thick just outside the rim, as observed – Under the impact theory, it should be an impact ejecta layer – For an impact this size, the ejecta layer should be very thick
- 26. Geologic mysteries atBlack Rock Sulphur Mining District ● 1980 geological summary by geologist Andy Wallace ● Mystery of altered rocks – And odd breccia dikes Photo by Ian Kluft
- 27. Geologic mysteries atBlack Rock Sulphur Mining District (cont'd) ● “White breccia” rock layer feeds down into cracks – Mystery how those were altered but not the rocks below – Also increasing “volcanic” rocks as layers go up ● still old rocks from below too ● impacts do that – volcanoes don't – Doesn't fit well with presumed hydrothermal alteration – Fits well with alteration and melting from an impact ● Big fragments land first, followed by smaller rocks, increasing melt ● Suggests the “volcanic” rocks are actually impact melt
- 28. Upcoming research plans ● Find an electron microscope – Not just any scope – We need a lab with experience recognizing impact shock effects ● For example, shocked quartz ● Aerial video of mountains around rim – Not proof itself, potential for interesting data collection ● Write a paper – Co-authored with Bob Verish and others who contribute to the effort
- 29. Conclusions ● An87km / 54mile impact structure at Black Rock, if confirmed, would be the second largest in America. – The largest is the 90km Chesapeake Bay Crater. – You can't visit Chesapeake Bay crater because it's all buried. ● Most of Black Rock region is federal lands – Anyone can go there. – It's a tremendous opportunity for any researchers to study it. – It could be a big resource for education about impacts.
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