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An Assessment of Shock Metamorphism for Jeptha Knob, A Suspected Impact Crater in North-Central Kentucky

Fox, Michael E.

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
Impact craters in carbonate rock account for ~30% of all impacts on Earth, yet little research has been conducted to study shock metamorphism on such targets. This study examined the petrography of carbonate rocks at Jeptha Knob, a 4.26 km diameter structure east of Shelbyville, KY, to investigate whether evidence of shock metamorphism is present and to determine peak pressures experienced by a previously postulated impact event. Petrographic observations and XRD analyses of calcite/dolomite have the potential to confirm shock metamorphism and constrain peak pressures in impact sites because certain petrographic features are correlated with increasing shock pressures. Specifically, XRD peaks in calcite/dolomite broaden and peak intensities decrease, mechanical twin density increases, and twin spacing decreases. Thin section petrography and XRD analysis of samples collected from the JK78-3 core show that the structure is highly deformed and provide evidence of these rocks experiencing pressures of > 4.6 GPa. The results collected from JK78-3 are consistent with that of an impact origin and provide insight into the development of other impact craters in carbonate rocks.
Keith Milam (Advisor)
Doug Green (Committee Member)
Alycia Stigall (Committee Member)
263 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Fox, M. E. (2014). An Assessment of Shock Metamorphism for Jeptha Knob, A Suspected Impact Crater in North-Central Kentucky [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1415624495

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Fox, Michael . An Assessment of Shock Metamorphism for Jeptha Knob, A Suspected Impact Crater in North-Central Kentucky. 2014. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1415624495.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Fox, Michael . "An Assessment of Shock Metamorphism for Jeptha Knob, A Suspected Impact Crater in North-Central Kentucky." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1415624495

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)