[meteorite-list] Neutron spallation in hyper-velocity impacts, OSL Odessa date

[E.P. Grondine]

Hi Sterling, all - 

"The final impact also produces such plasmas but they are, well, "quenched" by all the matter that envelopes them and the temperatures thermalize downward rapidly." But with large enough impacts, is there really enough quenching matter available? In other words, the plasmas are not able to quench the plasmas, at least locally. 

So until computer runs are made, I would still leave the OSL dates for Odessa open. My guess is that they may be a bit on the high side (too old). Perhaps lab analysis of samples from other large impact craters, and more computer runs, will show a pattern. 

Until those computer runs are made, that spike in the INTCAL98 chart near to the time of the Barringer impact still looks remarkable.

E.P. Grondine
Man and Impact in the Americas