[meteorite-list] Meteor Crater Shape and Entry Angle

[bernd.pauli at paulinet.de]

Eric wrote:

"The crater is not perfectly round as would be expected from an impactor 
coming in at a sharper angle. In fact the crater is more elliptical in shape."

SHOEMAKER E.M. and KIEFFER S.W. (1974, 1979) Guidebook to the
Geology of Meteor Crater, Arizona (Publ. No. 17, Center for Meteorite
Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona):

"Regional jointing has controlled the shape of the crater, which is somewhat
squarish in outline; the diagonals of the "square" coincide with the trend of the
two main sets of joints. The largest tears occur in the "corners" of the crater."

Eric also inquired:

"What would a "relatively low" impact angle be? 10 degrees, 20 degrees?"

I tried to find more precise information on that but was unable to find something
that might be of help here. Maybe someone else can shed more light on this!

Regards,

Bernd