Enigma of Cyclic Character Sedimentary Record of Earth Cosmic Connection to Snowballs From Outer...

Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions!Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions!

Enigma of Cyclic Character Sedimentary

Record of Earth Cosmic Connection to Snowballs From Outer

SpaceByBy

Christopher George St. Clement Christopher George St. Clement Kendall Kendall


Probability for us of Asteroid Impact USA

• Motor Vehicle Accident - Motor Vehicle Accident - 1 in 100 1 in 100 • Homicide - Homicide - 1 in 300 1 in 300 • Fire - Fire - 1 in 800 1 in 800 • Firearms Accident - Firearms Accident - 1 in 2,500 1 in 2,500 • Electrocution - Electrocution - 1 in 5,000 1 in 5,000 • Aircraft Accident - Aircraft Accident - 1 in 20,000 1 in 20,000 • Asteroid Impact -Asteroid Impact - 1 in 25,000 1 in 25,000 • Flood - Flood - 1 in 30,000 1 in 30,000 • Tornado -- Tornado -- 1 in 60,000 1 in 60,000 • Venomous bite or sting - Venomous bite or sting - 1 in 100,000 1 in 100,000 • Fireworks accident - Fireworks accident - 1 in 1 million 1 in 1 million • Food Poisoning - Food Poisoning - 1 in 3 million 1 in 3 million

(after(afterChapmanChapman

& Morrison)& Morrison)


Objects in space collide with Earth!


Shoemaker Levy 9 Shoemaker Levy 9 CometComet


Impacts cause a beat in sedimentary record?

The stratigraphic recordThe stratigraphic recorddivided into repeated sequencesdivided into repeated sequencesbounded by erosional eventsbounded by erosional eventsor unconformities.or unconformities.


Impacts cause a beat in sedimentary record?

• Punctuation of stratigraphic record Punctuation of stratigraphic record expressed as changes in geometric expressed as changes in geometric character of sediments bounded by character of sediments bounded by erosional surfaceserosional surfaces

• Driven by changes in relative position Driven by changes in relative position of seaof sea

• Some of these changes in sea level Some of these changes in sea level may be a response to collisions with may be a response to collisions with large fast objects from outer space?large fast objects from outer space?


Beat of Sea Level change in sedimentary record?

The stratigraphic recordThe stratigraphic recorddivided into repeated sequencesdivided into repeated sequencesbounded by erosional eventsbounded by erosional eventsor unconformities.or unconformities.


• 1st 1st 50+Ma 50+Ma Continental BreakupContinental Breakup• 2nd2nd 1-50 Ma1-50 Ma Oceanic ridge spreading Oceanic ridge spreading

& Crustal cooling& Crustal cooling• 3rd 3rd 1-5 Ma1-5 Ma Glacial Eustasy Glacial Eustasy

TectonismTectonism Sediment LoadingSediment Loading

• 4th 4th .08- 1 Ma.08- 1 Ma Milankovitch Cycles Milankovitch Cycles & & TectonismTectonism

Order & Frequency of Stratigraphic Sequences –

Traditional Causes



& Crustal cooling& Crustal cooling• 3rd 3rd 1-5 Ma1-5 Ma Glacial EustasyGlacial Eustasy




Traditional Causes


Glacial/Eustatic Model – Problem

3RD ORDER GEOLOGIC PERIODS WHEN3RD ORDER GEOLOGIC PERIODS WHENGLACIAL/EUSTATIC SIGNALS ARE RECOGNIZED :GLACIAL/EUSTATIC SIGNALS ARE RECOGNIZED : • Pleistocene and Late TertiaryPleistocene and Late Tertiary• Pennsylvanian and Permian Pennsylvanian and Permian • OrdovicianOrdovician• PrecambrianPrecambrian


PrecessionPrecessionWobbleWobble

--TiltTilt

From PlaneFrom Plane--

Eccentric Path Eccentric Path of of

Earth Around Earth Around SunSun


Coastlines – Ice Melts & Ice SheetCoastlines – Ice Melts & Ice Sheet


Glaciation in

Permian


Global 3rd Order Sequences in Mesozoic

Problem!Problem!• None of these effects are responsible for the None of these effects are responsible for the

3rd order global sequences in the Mesozoic3rd order global sequences in the Mesozoic• Eustatic Model –signals of glacial events are Eustatic Model –signals of glacial events are

not recognized for Mesozoic or Early not recognized for Mesozoic or Early Tertiary Tertiary


Global 3rd Order Sequences in Cenozoic

Sequestration by IceSequestration by Ice • Some global eustatic events could be responsible for Some global eustatic events could be responsible for

3rd order global sequences linked to Late Tertiary & 3rd order global sequences linked to Late Tertiary & Quaternary glacial events (30 Ma) but even these Quaternary glacial events (30 Ma) but even these are associated with high frequency events!are associated with high frequency events!







Traditional Causes







Traditional Causes


The Earth was one time like the SunThe Earth was one time like the Sun& was molten. Now we have a thin crust& was molten. Now we have a thin crustover the molten interior!!over the molten interior!!


Major Features of Earth’s InteriorMajor Features of Earth’s Interior


Continental MarginBulges Up

Mid-Oceanic RidgeBulges Up

Transverse Fault


Expanding ocean evidenced by parallel ridges!


VolcanoVolcano

Ocean CrustOcean CrustTrenchTrench

Continental CrustContinental CrustLithosphereLithosphere

MantleMantle

Convergent Margin evidenced by Trench & Volcanic

Mountains


Continental CrustContinental Crust

LithosphereLithosphere

MantleMantle

Convergent Margin evidenced by Inter-Continental

Mountains


150 Million years of Plate movement!


Major Plates of the GlobeMajor Plates of the Globe


Transform Boundaries

• Two plates slide past each otherTwo plates slide past each other• Usually between mid-oceanic ridge Usually between mid-oceanic ridge

segmentssegments– Can also connect ridge and trenchCan also connect ridge and trench– Or trench to trenchOr trench to trench

• Origin of offset of ridgesOrigin of offset of ridges



Transform Faults


Fault Stress Release Drives High Frequency Accommodation

CLOETING STATESCLOETING STATES• Stress builds up in continental margin in response to Stress builds up in continental margin in response to

compression or extensioncompression or extension• At 3At 3rdrd order time intervals release of stress at faults order time intervals release of stress at faults

causes local transgressionscauses local transgressions PROBLEMPROBLEM

• Stress release is expressed as earthquakes Stress release is expressed as earthquakes • Magnitude 7 earthquakes release 10Magnitude 7 earthquakes release 1027 27 ergs of ergs of

energy locallyenergy locally• Only the signal can be detected at some distance Only the signal can be detected at some distance

awayaway







Traditional Causes







Traditional Causes


Sediment drives high frequency accommodation

GALLOWAY STATESGALLOWAY STATES• Variations in sediment supply driven by tectonic Variations in sediment supply driven by tectonic

uplift and continental erosionuplift and continental erosion• Uplift driven by flexural response to down dip Uplift driven by flexural response to down dip

loading of shelf margin and plate collisionloading of shelf margin and plate collision• Accommodation results from thermal subsidence Accommodation results from thermal subsidence

and third order flexure produced by sediment and third order flexure produced by sediment loadingloading

PROBLEMPROBLEM• No explanation for global transgressionsNo explanation for global transgressions• Thermal subsidence & variation in sediment supply Thermal subsidence & variation in sediment supply

are localare local


The Hypothesis!

““Now we have a chaos of theories of the Now we have a chaos of theories of the most part conflicting. Some or all or none of most part conflicting. Some or all or none of them may be correct; partly or altogether. them may be correct; partly or altogether. It is an area where imagination remains It is an area where imagination remains largely unfettered by the bonds of largely unfettered by the bonds of certainty.”certainty.”D.P. Geddis, 1954 D.P. Geddis, 1954 From “An Analysis of the Kinsey Report on From “An Analysis of the Kinsey Report on the Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and the Sexual Behavior in the Human Male and Female”Female”


Stress Release at Plate Boundaries

HIGH FREQUENCY ACCOMMODATION MODELHIGH FREQUENCY ACCOMMODATION MODEL• Stress builds up in continental margin in Stress builds up in continental margin in

response to compression or extensionresponse to compression or extension• At 3rd order time intervals release of stress At 3rd order time intervals release of stress

at faults causes local transgressions when at faults causes local transgressions when bolides collide! bolides collide!

RESULTSRESULTS• Stress release is expressed as earthquakes Stress release is expressed as earthquakes • Magnitude 7 earthquakes release 10Magnitude 7 earthquakes release 1027 27 ergs ergs

of energy locallyof energy locally• Signal detected all over the Earth!Signal detected all over the Earth!


Energyof

Impacts


Extraterrestrial - High Frequency Accommodation

• 20 km diameter Asteroids striking 20 km diameter Asteroids striking Earth at velocities exceeding 30-Earth at velocities exceeding 30-40km/sec will release 1040km/sec will release 1032-3332-33 ergs ergs (10(1066ergs times magnitude 7 ergs times magnitude 7 earthquakes)earthquakes)

• Energy of impact depresses the Energy of impact depresses the crust, causing it to undulate world crust, causing it to undulate world wide.wide.


Large objectsLarge objectsstriking Earthstriking Earth

in last in last centurycentury


Meteor Crater ArizonaMeteor Crater ArizonaIron nickel meteorite struck 50,000 years ago Iron nickel meteorite struck 50,000 years ago weighing several hundred tons at velocity of weighing several hundred tons at velocity of 40,000 mph & explosive force greater than 40,000 mph & explosive force greater than

20 million tons of TNT20 million tons of TNT

1.2-kilometers wide (3/4 of a mile), 174- meters 1.2-kilometers wide (3/4 of a mile), 174- meters deep (570-feet)deep (570-feet)


Frequency of Impacts

• Impact large enough to create crater size of Meteor Impact large enough to create crater size of Meteor Crater occurs every 1000 to 2000 years somewhere Crater occurs every 1000 to 2000 years somewhere on Earthon Earth

• The chances of such an impact occurring this year is The chances of such an impact occurring this year is 1 in 1500, an uncomfortably large probability1 in 1500, an uncomfortably large probability

• The chances of being demolished by an impact are The chances of being demolished by an impact are much smaller.much smaller.– The area devastated around Meteor Crater was 800-1500 The area devastated around Meteor Crater was 800-1500

kmkm22 - about 1000 km - about 1000 km22

– The surface area of Earth is 510 million kmThe surface area of Earth is 510 million km22

– So chances of being destroyed is only about 1 in 500,000.So chances of being destroyed is only about 1 in 500,000.• Probability of any one being killed by a Meteor Probability of any one being killed by a Meteor

Crater-sized impact -- only 1 in 7.5 billion. Crater-sized impact -- only 1 in 7.5 billion. (after Chapman & Morrison)(after Chapman & Morrison)


Most Impacts are Small• Hiroshima ‘A’ Bomb released 150 kilotonsHiroshima ‘A’ Bomb released 150 kilotons• 10-metre diameter meteoric body has kinetic 10-metre diameter meteoric body has kinetic

energy of about 100 kilotonsenergy of about 100 kilotons– Detonates at altitude above 10 kmDetonates at altitude above 10 km– Causes little or no damage on groundCauses little or no damage on ground– Alarm to witnesses as on 9 October 1997 in El Paso, Alarm to witnesses as on 9 October 1997 in El Paso,

TexasTexas• Similar events are recorded by US surveillance Similar events are recorded by US surveillance

satellites, one or two per month, with smaller satellites, one or two per month, with smaller Kiloton sized explosions happen every 1 to 10 Kiloton sized explosions happen every 1 to 10 daysdays


Iron Rich Meteorite – From Green LandIron Rich Meteorite – From Green Land


Large Impacts On Earth

• 120 impact craters for past 2 billion years cataloged120 impact craters for past 2 billion years cataloged• Diameters from 10’s of meters up to 200 kmDiameters from 10’s of meters up to 200 km

CRATER RECOGNITION IS LOWCRATER RECOGNITION IS LOW• Craters smaller than 20km easily erodedCraters smaller than 20km easily eroded• Asteroids tend to hit oceanAsteroids tend to hit ocean

MAJOR CRATERSMAJOR CRATERS• Sudbury, Ontario- shock metamorphism; & diameter of Sudbury, Ontario- shock metamorphism; & diameter of

200km identify (Grieves, 1991)200km identify (Grieves, 1991)• Chicxulub, Mexico- Gravity & Magnedics identify 200km Chicxulub, Mexico- Gravity & Magnedics identify 200km

crater; penetrated 15 km (Hidebrand et al.,1991)crater; penetrated 15 km (Hidebrand et al.,1991)• Veredfort, South Africa- 150km in diameter (Spudis Veredfort, South Africa- 150km in diameter (Spudis

1993)1993)


Chicxulub, Mexico - Gravity & Chicxulub, Mexico - Gravity & MagneticsMagnetics

Identify 200 km crater - penetrated 15 km Identify 200 km crater - penetrated 15 km into earthinto earth

(Hidebrand et al.,1991)(Hidebrand et al.,1991)Product of 10 km diameter object!Product of 10 km diameter object!

Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions!Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions!32 Km & 22 Km32 Km & 22 Km

Clearwater Lakes Clearwater Lakes QuebecQuebec


Impactsrecorded

insedimenta

ryrecord?

Grieve,1991


Comet Comet Colliding with Colliding with

EarthEarth


Impact Effect on Sea Level?


The Hypothesis!


The Hypothesis!


The Hypothesis!


The Hypothesis!


Stress Release at Plate Boundaries

HIGH FREQUENCY ACCOMMODATION MODELHIGH FREQUENCY ACCOMMODATION MODEL• Stress builds up in continental margin in Stress builds up in continental margin in

response to compression or extensionresponse to compression or extension• At 3rd order time intervals release of stress At 3rd order time intervals release of stress

at faults causes local transgressions when at faults causes local transgressions when bolides collide! bolides collide!

RESULTSRESULTS• Stress release is expressed as earthquakes Stress release is expressed as earthquakes • Magnitude 7 earthquakes release 10Magnitude 7 earthquakes release 1027 27 ergs ergs

of energy locallyof energy locally• Signal detected all over the Earth!Signal detected all over the Earth!


Impacts Explain Global Events

• Extensive marine transgressionsExtensive marine transgressions• Organic rich shalesOrganic rich shales• Climatic coolingClimatic cooling• Major extinctionsMajor extinctions• TectitesTectites• Iridium concentrations in shaleIridium concentrations in shale• Magnetic field reversalsMagnetic field reversals


Impact Associations

• Impact cratersImpact craters• Shock metamorphism of sedimentary Shock metamorphism of sedimentary grainsgrains• Tsunamis’Tsunamis’• Ore depositsOre deposits


Potential For Collision (Shoemaker 1991)

•Over 1000 objects over 1km diameter in Over 1000 objects over 1km diameter in orbits which cross Earthorbits which cross Earth

•During next 100 million years, over 1000 During next 100 million years, over 1000 impacts will produce craters 10km diameterimpacts will produce craters 10km diameter

•5 km diameter every 100,000 years5 km diameter every 100,000 years•10 km diameter objects will produce 200+ km 10 km diameter objects will produce 200+ km diameter craters every 4 million yearsdiameter craters every 4 million years

•A 20 km diameter object will collide with A 20 km diameter object will collide with Earth every 3 billion yearsEarth every 3 billion years

•Between 1975 &1992, 136 explosions were Between 1975 &1992, 136 explosions were detected in upper atmosphere from detected in upper atmosphere from extraterrestrial objectsextraterrestrial objects over 1 km diameter in over 1 km diameter in orbits crossing the Earthorbits crossing the Earth

•Rate of bombardment of Earth matches MoonRate of bombardment of Earth matches Moon


Evidence of Impacts

•Numerous large impact craters occur on the Numerous large impact craters occur on the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jovian MoonsMoon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jovian Moons

•Continue to form today Continue to form today – In 1178 Gervase of Canterbury believed to have In 1178 Gervase of Canterbury believed to have

observed a contemporary impact on Moon (Clube and observed a contemporary impact on Moon (Clube and Napier).Napier).

– 77thth November 2005 Rob Suggs (NASA) observed November 2005 Rob Suggs (NASA) observed anotheranother

•Lunar multi-ring basins on the Moon exceed Lunar multi-ring basins on the Moon exceed 3000km3000km


Craters on Craters on Far Side of Far Side of

MoonMoon


Craters form on Moon Craters form on Moon today!today!

On 7th November On 7th November 20052005 Rob Suggs Rob Suggs

of NASA observed of NASA observed impactimpact

First night testing First night testing 10-inch telescope 10-inch telescope to monitor space to monitor space strikes on Moonstrikes on Moon


Historical Frequency of Historical Frequency of Craters forming on MoonCraters forming on Moon

Earth & Moon Form by Accretion

Cataclysmic BombardmentMoon & Earth


Crater Size on MoonCrater Size on Moon

Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions!Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions!Craters Far Side of MoonCraters Far Side of Moon


DiameterDiameter 85 km85 kmDepthDepth 4.8 km4.8 km

TychoTychoCraterCraterMoonMoon

DiameterDiameter85 km85 kmDepthDepth 4.8 4.8 kmkm


CratersCratersSouthSouthMoonMoon


Copernicus - Crater on Copernicus - Crater on MoonMoon

Diameter - 107 KmDiameter - 107 Km


Craters on Moon - Orientale Craters on Moon - Orientale BasinBasin3 rings - Inner Rook Mts, Outer Rook Mt s, & Cordillera Mts3 rings - Inner Rook Mts, Outer Rook Mt s, & Cordillera Mts

Diameter - 930 KmDiameter - 930 Km


Asteroid Ida!

irregularly shaped asteroid from asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiterirregularly shaped asteroid from asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter


Asteroid Ida

irregularly shaped asteroid from asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiterirregularly shaped asteroid from asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter


Craters on Eros Craters on Eros AsteroidAsteroid

Asteroid between Mars and EarthAsteroid between Mars and Earth

On Monday, 12 February 2001, the NEAROn Monday, 12 February 2001, the NEARspacecraft touched down on asteroid Eros!.spacecraft touched down on asteroid Eros!.


Craters on Craters on MercuryMercury


Craters on MercuryCraters on Mercury


Hour Glass Craters on MarsHour Glass Craters on Mars


Craters on Craters on GanymedGanymed

e & e & Callisto Callisto Jupiter’s Jupiter’s Moons Moons

Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions!Midlands. Astronomy Club – Collisions! CallistoCallisto


Craters on Craters on Jupiter’s Jupiter’s

Moon Moon EuropaEuropa


Craters Craters

Jupiter’Jupiter’s Moons Moon

Io Io--

VolcaniVolcanic!c!


Shoemaker Levy & Shoemaker Levy & JupiterJupiter

Hubble ImageHubble Image




Shoemaker Shoemaker Levy & Levy & JupiterJupiter




Craters on Craters on Phoebe Phoebe

outermost outermost Satellite of Satellite of

SaturnSaturn


CraterCrateron on

MimasMimasaa

SatelliteSatelliteofof

SaturnSaturn


Potential For Collision During Lifetime• Win State lotteryWin State lottery 1 in 5,200,000*1 in 5,200,000*• Killed by terrorists on an overseas tripKilled by terrorists on an overseas trip 1 in 650,000*1 in 650,000*• Killed by lightingKilled by lighting 1 in 600,000*1 in 600,000*• Asteroid impact on EarthAsteroid impact on Earth 1 in 30,0001 in 30,000• Killed in a planeKilled in a plane 1 in 30,0001 in 30,000• Killed by American in BaltimoreKilled by American in Baltimore 1 in 4,000*1 in 4,000*• Dying in a carDying in a car 1 in 75*1 in 75*Statistic compiled from *Baptist Hospital newspaper Statistic compiled from *Baptist Hospital newspaper Columbia, SC, May 94 & Economist, Sept 11-17, 93Columbia, SC, May 94 & Economist, Sept 11-17, 93



Conclusions•"...when you have eliminated the "...when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the however improbable, must be the truth." Sherlock Holmes in The Sign truth." Sherlock Holmes in The Sign of the Four by Conan Doyleof the Four by Conan Doyle


Conclusions• Extraterrestrial hypervelocity impacts cause some (but Extraterrestrial hypervelocity impacts cause some (but

not all) 3not all) 3rdrd order rapid global transgression on Haq et al order rapid global transgression on Haq et al • Extraterrestrial hypervelocity impacts globally cause: Extraterrestrial hypervelocity impacts globally cause:

– Climatic coolingClimatic cooling– Organic rich shalesOrganic rich shales– Major extinctionMajor extinction– TectitesTectites– Iridium concentrations in shaleIridium concentrations in shale– Global enigmatic tectonic eventsGlobal enigmatic tectonic events

• Other mechanisms for 3Other mechanisms for 3rdrd order onlap cycles are local & order onlap cycles are local & tectonically driven, but not globaltectonically driven, but not global

• Stratigraphic markers for global correlation & prediction)Stratigraphic markers for global correlation & prediction)


Hale-Bopp – CometHale-Bopp – Comet


Halle – Comet?Halle – Comet?


Halley’s - CometHalley’s - Comet


THE HYPOTHESIS!


CometComet



Earth’s deep-ocean trenches



Origin of 3rd Order Global Accommodation

• Global Variation in sea level – Eustasy Global Variation in sea level – Eustasy • Sediment LoadingSediment Loading


Mantle Convection?

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Enigma of Cyclic Character Sedimentary Record of Earth Cosmic Connection to Snowballs From Outer...

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