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#           Meteor Crater Sample Collection                    Active

      By Astrogeology Science Center      September 26, 2018    

## Color Shade DEM of Meteor Crater

                  -              Overview           
                  -              Multimedia           
                  -              Web Tools           

**Meteor Crater** is a 180 m deep, 1.2 km diameter bowl-shaped impact crater in Northern Arizona, and has long been a terrestrial analog site for planetary exploration. During the 1960’s, Eugene Shoemaker trained NASA astronauts at the crater to prepare for the Apollo missions to the Moon. The Meteor Crater Sample Collection consists of geologic samples from the Meteor Crater ejecta blanket. USGS Astrogeology curates and provides access to the Meteor Crater Sample Collection for the planetary science community. Our goal is to facilitate scientific research on impact melting of sedimentary targets, ejecta distribution and deposition processes, and mineral shock metamorphism.

The geologic samples in this collection were obtained during the 1970’s by USGS Astrogeology planetary scientist Dr. David J. Roddy, who conducted a program of rotary drilling on the rim and flanks of the crater. Given the financial and logistical difficulties inherent in conducting thorough field sampling campaigns at Meteor Crater, and the importance of this unique geologic collection to investigations of terrestrial impact craters as planetary analogs, USGS Astrogeology curates this sample collection and manages sample requests for the planetary science community.

Click on "Related Science", "Maps", and "Multimedia" above to learn more.

**About the Collection**

The sample collection consists of over 2,500 m of drill cuttings from 161 drill holes, drilled on the crater rim and throughout the ejecta blanket (and beyond). The drill cuttings were sampled on average every 0.3 m, in drill holes ranging in depth from a few meters to over 50 m.

A typical sample of ejecta for a near-surface depth interval consists of unconsolidated, fractured or pulverized sedimentary rocks, impact melt fragments, meteoritic fragments, alluvium and organic debris.

The interactive map and data repository may be explored to assist in selection of drilling locations and depth intervals for sampling requests.

**About Meteor Crater**

Meteor Crater formed approximately 50,000 years ago by the impact of a 100,000-ton iron-nickel meteorite, ~30 m in diameter, which struck at an approximate speed of 12-20 km/sec. The Canyon Diablo meteorite, so named for the small canyon to the west of the crater, exploded with the force of over 2 million tons of TNT (or about 150 times the force of the atomic bomb detonated over Hiroshima). The impact blasted millions of tons of sandstone and limestone out of the crater, and this pulverized rock was redeposited on the plain around the crater along with fragments of the Canyon Diablo meteorite, impact melt (shock-melted sandstone and limestone), and metallic spherules (ballistically dispersed droplets of melted meteorite). This redeposited material is the crater’s ejecta blanket. Geologic and petrologic studies of Meteor Crater, especially the works of Daniel Barringer and Eugene Shoemaker, have demonstrated conclusive evidence for the impact origin of the crater and provided diagnostic scientific tools needed to recognize impact structures throughout the Solar System.

 

### **Sample Request Instructions**

                                      - Explore the  interactive map  and data repository, if necessary, to select drill holes and depths you would like to sample.
                                      - Certify that you have read and agree to the Sampling Protocol.
                                      - Complete and submit the Sample Request Form to Tenielle Gaither ( tgaither@usgs.gov , 928-556-7387).

 

### **Meteor Crater Ejecta Blanket Cross Sections**

 

**References**

### USGS Astrogeology Research Publications Using the Meteor Crater Sample Collection

                                      - Roddy D.J., J.M. Boyce, G.W. Colton, and A.L. Dial Jr. (1975) Meteor Crater, Arizona, rim drilling with thickness, structural uplift, diameter, depth, volume, and mass-balance calculations, Proceedings of the Sixth Lunar Science Conference, Houston, 3, 2621-2644.
                                      - Roddy D.J. (1978) Pre-impact geologic conditions, physical properties, energy calculations, meteorite and initial crater dimensions and orientations of joints, faults and walls at Meteor Crater, Arizona. Proc. Lunar Planetary Science Conf. 9th, 3,891-3,930.
                                      - Hagerty, J.J., Clark, S.E., Hare, T.M., Hayward, R.K., Newsom, H.E., Wright, S.P., and McHone, J. (2010) A new repository for drill hole samples and remote sensing data from Meteor Crater, AZ. 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, abstract #2213.
                                      - Hagerty, J.J., Gaither, T.A., McHone, J.F., and Sauer, K. (2011) SEM characterization of impact ejecta deposits from Meteor Crater, Arizona, 2nd Planetary Crater Consortium Meeting, abstract #1109.
                                      - Gaither T.A., Hagerty J.J., Clark S.E., Hare T.M., Hayward R.K., Newsom H.E., Wright S.P., and McHone J. (2011) Multidimensional characterization of impact ejecta deposits from Meteor Crater, AZ. 42nd Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstract #1474.
                                      - Gaither T.A., Hagerty J.J., McHone, J.F., and Newsom, H.E. (2012) Characterization of impact ejecta deposits from Meteor Crater, Arizona, 43rd Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstract #1601.
                                      - Hagerty, J.J., Gaither, T.A., and McHone, J.F. (2012) Characterizing impact ejecta deposits at Barringer (Meteor) Crater, Arizona, 75th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, abstract #5296.

### Selected References on Meteor Crater

                                      - Chao E.C.T., Shoemaker E.M., and Madsen B.M. (1960) First natural occurrence of coesite from Meteor Crater, Arizona. Science, 132, no. 3421, 220-222.
                                      - Kring D. A. (2007) Guidebook to the Geology of Barringer Meteorite Crater, Arizona (a.k.a Meteor Crater). Lunar and Planetary Institute LPI Contribution No. 1355
                                      - Nininger, H.H. (1956), Arizona’s Meteorite Crater: Past, Present, and Future, American Meteorite Laboratory, Denver, CO, pp. 232.
                                      - Shoemaker E. M., (1960) Impact mechanics at Meteor Crater Arizona: unpublished Princeton PhD Thesis, 55 p.
                                      - Shoemaker E. M., (1963) Impact mechanics at Meteor Crater, Arizona. In The Moon, Meteorites, and Comets, B.M. Middlehurst and G. P. Kuiper, eds., Univ. Chicago Press, Chicago, 301-336.
                                      - Shoemaker E. M., and Kieffer S.W. (1974) Guidebook to the Geology of Meteor Crater, Arizona, Publ. 17, 66 pp., Cent. for Meteorite Stud., Ariz. State Univ., Tempe.

See Also

For more information, please contact** Tenielle Gaither (tgaither@usgs.gov, 928-556-7387)**

Below are forms required for submitting for a sample request.

September 26, 2018

#### Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol

link

Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol

Astrogeology Science Center

September 26, 2018

#### Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol

link

#### Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol

link

Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol

Astrogeology Science Center

September 26, 2018

#### Meteor Crater Sample Request Form

link

Meteor Crater Sample Request Form

Astrogeology Science Center

September 26, 2018

#### Meteor Crater Sample Request Form

link

#### Meteor Crater Sample Request Form

link

Meteor Crater Sample Request Form

Astrogeology Science Center

Below are data or web applications associated with this project.

                  - Overview  
**Meteor Crater** is a 180 m deep, 1.2 km diameter bowl-shaped impact crater in Northern Arizona, and has long been a terrestrial analog site for planetary exploration. During the 1960’s, Eugene Shoemaker trained NASA astronauts at the crater to prepare for the Apollo missions to the Moon. The Meteor Crater Sample Collection consists of geologic samples from the Meteor Crater ejecta blanket. USGS Astrogeology curates and provides access to the Meteor Crater Sample Collection for the planetary science community. Our goal is to facilitate scientific research on impact melting of sedimentary targets, ejecta distribution and deposition processes, and mineral shock metamorphism.

The geologic samples in this collection were obtained during the 1970’s by USGS Astrogeology planetary scientist Dr. David J. Roddy, who conducted a program of rotary drilling on the rim and flanks of the crater. Given the financial and logistical difficulties inherent in conducting thorough field sampling campaigns at Meteor Crater, and the importance of this unique geologic collection to investigations of terrestrial impact craters as planetary analogs, USGS Astrogeology curates this sample collection and manages sample requests for the planetary science community.

Click on "Related Science", "Maps", and "Multimedia" above to learn more.

**About the Collection**

The sample collection consists of over 2,500 m of drill cuttings from 161 drill holes, drilled on the crater rim and throughout the ejecta blanket (and beyond). The drill cuttings were sampled on average every 0.3 m, in drill holes ranging in depth from a few meters to over 50 m.

A typical sample of ejecta for a near-surface depth interval consists of unconsolidated, fractured or pulverized sedimentary rocks, impact melt fragments, meteoritic fragments, alluvium and organic debris.

The interactive map and data repository may be explored to assist in selection of drilling locations and depth intervals for sampling requests.

**About Meteor Crater**

Meteor Crater formed approximately 50,000 years ago by the impact of a 100,000-ton iron-nickel meteorite, ~30 m in diameter, which struck at an approximate speed of 12-20 km/sec. The Canyon Diablo meteorite, so named for the small canyon to the west of the crater, exploded with the force of over 2 million tons of TNT (or about 150 times the force of the atomic bomb detonated over Hiroshima). The impact blasted millions of tons of sandstone and limestone out of the crater, and this pulverized rock was redeposited on the plain around the crater along with fragments of the Canyon Diablo meteorite, impact melt (shock-melted sandstone and limestone), and metallic spherules (ballistically dispersed droplets of melted meteorite). This redeposited material is the crater’s ejecta blanket. Geologic and petrologic studies of Meteor Crater, especially the works of Daniel Barringer and Eugene Shoemaker, have demonstrated conclusive evidence for the impact origin of the crater and provided diagnostic scientific tools needed to recognize impact structures throughout the Solar System.

 
**Sample Request Instructions**- Explore the  interactive map  and data repository, if necessary, to select drill holes and depths you would like to sample.
- Certify that you have read and agree to the Sampling Protocol.
- Complete and submit the Sample Request Form to Tenielle Gaither ( tgaither@usgs.gov , 928-556-7387).

 
**Meteor Crater Ejecta Blanket Cross Sections**
 

**References**
USGS Astrogeology Research Publications Using the Meteor Crater Sample Collection- Roddy D.J., J.M. Boyce, G.W. Colton, and A.L. Dial Jr. (1975) Meteor Crater, Arizona, rim drilling with thickness, structural uplift, diameter, depth, volume, and mass-balance calculations, Proceedings of the Sixth Lunar Science Conference, Houston, 3, 2621-2644.
- Roddy D.J. (1978) Pre-impact geologic conditions, physical properties, energy calculations, meteorite and initial crater dimensions and orientations of joints, faults and walls at Meteor Crater, Arizona. Proc. Lunar Planetary Science Conf. 9th, 3,891-3,930.
- Hagerty, J.J., Clark, S.E., Hare, T.M., Hayward, R.K., Newsom, H.E., Wright, S.P., and McHone, J. (2010) A new repository for drill hole samples and remote sensing data from Meteor Crater, AZ. 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, abstract #2213.
- Hagerty, J.J., Gaither, T.A., McHone, J.F., and Sauer, K. (2011) SEM characterization of impact ejecta deposits from Meteor Crater, Arizona, 2nd Planetary Crater Consortium Meeting, abstract #1109.
- Gaither T.A., Hagerty J.J., Clark S.E., Hare T.M., Hayward R.K., Newsom H.E., Wright S.P., and McHone J. (2011) Multidimensional characterization of impact ejecta deposits from Meteor Crater, AZ. 42nd Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstract #1474.
- Gaither T.A., Hagerty J.J., McHone, J.F., and Newsom, H.E. (2012) Characterization of impact ejecta deposits from Meteor Crater, Arizona, 43rd Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. abstract #1601.
- Hagerty, J.J., Gaither, T.A., and McHone, J.F. (2012) Characterizing impact ejecta deposits at Barringer (Meteor) Crater, Arizona, 75th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society, abstract #5296.
Selected References on Meteor Crater- Chao E.C.T., Shoemaker E.M., and Madsen B.M. (1960) First natural occurrence of coesite from Meteor Crater, Arizona. Science, 132, no. 3421, 220-222.
- Kring D. A. (2007) Guidebook to the Geology of Barringer Meteorite Crater, Arizona (a.k.a Meteor Crater). Lunar and Planetary Institute LPI Contribution No. 1355
- Nininger, H.H. (1956), Arizona’s Meteorite Crater: Past, Present, and Future, American Meteorite Laboratory, Denver, CO, pp. 232.
- Shoemaker E. M., (1960) Impact mechanics at Meteor Crater Arizona: unpublished Princeton PhD Thesis, 55 p.
- Shoemaker E. M., (1963) Impact mechanics at Meteor Crater, Arizona. In The Moon, Meteorites, and Comets, B.M. Middlehurst and G. P. Kuiper, eds., Univ. Chicago Press, Chicago, 301-336.
- Shoemaker E. M., and Kieffer S.W. (1974) Guidebook to the Geology of Meteor Crater, Arizona, Publ. 17, 66 pp., Cent. for Meteorite Stud., Ariz. State Univ., Tempe.

See Also

For more information, please contact** Tenielle Gaither (tgaither@usgs.gov, 928-556-7387)**
 
                  - Multimedia  
Below are forms required for submitting for a sample request.
LabelListGridSeptember 26, 2018Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocollink  Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol
Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol
ByAstrogeology Science CenterSeptember 26, 2018Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling ProtocollinkMeteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocollink
Meteor Crater Drill Cuttings Sampling Protocol
ByAstrogeology Science CenterSeptember 26, 2018Meteor Crater Sample Request Formlink  Meteor Crater Sample Request Form
Meteor Crater Sample Request Form
ByAstrogeology Science CenterSeptember 26, 2018Meteor Crater Sample Request FormlinkMeteor Crater Sample Request Formlink
Meteor Crater Sample Request Form
ByAstrogeology Science Center 
                  - Web Tools  
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.