Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Characterization Of Impact Melt Rocks And Hydrothermal Mineralization At The Haughton Impact Structure, Devon Island, Canada: An Investigation Of Impacts Into Carbonate Targets, Cassandra L. Marion

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Impact cratering is a fundamental and ubiquitous geological process on all solid planetary bodies in our solar system. Impacts into carbonate-rich sedimentary target rocks on Earth are still poorly understood. The fate of carbonates during impact, in particular whether they undergo melting or decomposition, is actively debated. The dominant process is significant as decomposition would cause severe climatic effects due to release of large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. At the root of the problem is the difficulty to distinguish and characterize the genesis of the variety of impactite carbonates produced. The Haughton impact structure in the Canadian …