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Mapping the Outer Margin of the Serpent Mound Impact Structure to Assess the Outer Limit of Deformation: Adams, Highland, and Pike Counties, Ohio

Vanadia, David S.

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, Geological Sciences (Arts and Sciences).
The Serpent Mound structure is a complex impact structure in southern Ohio named after Great Serpent Mound, an ancient effigy mound situated on the structure's western flank. It is located west of the Allegheny escarpment within Adams, Highland, and Pike counties. The impact occurred between the Middle Mississippian and Late Permian, since which time any obvious expression of the crater rim has been removed by erosion. Past mapping efforts have revealed a centrally uplifted region surrounded by a ring of downward displaced strata within a faulted area 4.5-5 mi (7.3-8 km) in diameter, which is generally taken to be the crater's size. However, the Middle Silurian-Upper Devonian contact has been shown to be displaced downward over a region 14 km in diameter centered on the impact structure and, based on complex crater morphometry, the rim diameter should be 6.2-15 mi (10-25 km). The intent of this study is to locate any structural evidence of the crater rim through field mapping so that the size of the structure can be more accurately described. The outermost concentric normal fault or ring monocline is commonly used to define the diameter of impact structures, but neither have been located. However, a series of radial folds occur in the Drakes Formation 5.3 mi (8.5 km) from the center of the crater. Such folds commonly result from concentric shortening during the collapse of the transient crater rim as material moves away from the concentric fault scarp and into the crater, and so becomes constricted. Based on the extent of radial folding, if impact related, the outer limit of deformation and the minimum apparent diameter of the Serpent Mound impact structure is 10.6 mi (17 km).
R. Damian Nance (Advisor)
Keith Milam (Committee Member)
Gregory Springer (Committee Member)
91 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Vanadia, D. S. (2017). Mapping the Outer Margin of the Serpent Mound Impact Structure to Assess the Outer Limit of Deformation: Adams, Highland, and Pike Counties, Ohio [Master's thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1503092648273144

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Vanadia, David. Mapping the Outer Margin of the Serpent Mound Impact Structure to Assess the Outer Limit of Deformation: Adams, Highland, and Pike Counties, Ohio. 2017. Ohio University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1503092648273144.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Vanadia, David. "Mapping the Outer Margin of the Serpent Mound Impact Structure to Assess the Outer Limit of Deformation: Adams, Highland, and Pike Counties, Ohio." Master's thesis, Ohio University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1503092648273144

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)