[meteorite-list] New "Big Impact" Theory (Eltanin asteroid impact)

[Paul H.]

In “New "Big Impact" Theory” at
http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/meteorite-list/2012-September/087243.html
Sterling K. Webb  wrote:

“New "Big Impact" theory. In case you find the 
references to a "new Ice Age" puzzling, I'll remind 
you that it's the Ice Age that we in right now. Yes, 
friends, we are in an Ice Age, at 5-7 C. below the 
long-term norm.”

and

“Did a 'Forgotten' Meteor Have a Deadly, Icy Double-Punch?”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120919103612.htm 

This article refers to:

Goff, J., C. Chague-Goff, M. Archer, D. Dominey-Howes, 
and C. Turney, 2012, The Eltanin asteroid impact: 
possible South Pacific palaeomegatsunami footprint 
and potential implications for the Pliocene-Pleistocene 
transition. Journal of Quaternary Science. Article first 
published online: 3 SEP 2012.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jqs.2571/abstract

Related to this is an interesting paper published online
in Geology. It is:

Gao, C., J. H. McAndrews, X. Wang, J. Menzies, C. L. Turton,
B. D. Wood, J. Pei, and C. Kodors, 2012, Glaciation of North 
America in the James Bay Lowland, Canada, 3.5 Ma. geology.
First published online September 4, 2012
http://geology.gsapubs.org/content/early/2012/09/04/G33092.1.abstract

This provides evidence of glaciation in North America of
continental glaciations that are of a magnitude that is likely 
comparable to Pleistocene glaciations started about 3.5 
million years ago. This glaciation coincides with the 
documented intensification of glaciation in the northwest 
Pacific region about 3.45 million years ago. Thus, "Ice Ages" 
were already in process a million years before the Eltanin 
asteroid impact and it may have simply only accentuated, 
if anything at all, climatic changes that had already started.

Best wishes,

Paul H.