Zhamanshin crater

Summary

Zhamanshin (Kazakh: Жаман шың, romanized: Jaman şıñ) is a meteorite crater in Kazakhstan. It is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) in diameter and the age is estimated to be 900,000 ± 100,000 years (Pleistocene). The crater is exposed at the surface.[1]

Zhamanshin crater
Jaman şıñ
Impact glass from the Zhamanshin impact site
Impact crater/structure
ConfidenceConfirmed
Diameter14 km (8.7 mi)
Age900,000 ± 100,000 years
Mid Pleistocene
ExposedYes
DrilledYes
Bolide typeChondrite
Location
Coordinates48°24′N 60°58′E / 48.400°N 60.967°E / 48.400; 60.967
CountryKazakhstan
StateAktobe Region
Zhamanshin crater is located in Kazakhstan
Zhamanshin crater
Location of the crater in Kazakhstan

Description edit

It is believed that the Zhamanshin crater is the site of the most recent meteorite impact event of the magnitude that could have produced a disruption comparable to that of a nuclear winter, but it was not sufficiently large enough to have caused a mass extinction.[2]

Preliminary papers in the late 1970s suggested either Elgygytgyn,[3] or Zhamanshin,[4] as the source of the Australasian strewnfield.

References edit

  1. ^ "Zhamanshin". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre University of New Brunswick Fredericton. Retrieved 2017-10-09.
  2. ^ Essay "Impact Cratering on Earth", based on: R.A.F. Grieve, 1990, Impact cratering on the Earth, Scientific American, v. 262, 66-73. Archived 23 September 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ R.S. Dietz (1977), Elgygytgyn Crater, Siberia: Probable Source Of Australasian Tektite Field Meteoritics, June 1977, Vol 12, Issue 2, p. 145–157
  4. ^ B.P. Glass (1979), Zhamanshin crater, a possible source of Australasian tektites? Geology, July 1979, v. 7, p. 351-353