Geological Society of America

T337 Impact Cratering on Earth and throughout the Solar System (Posters)

Wednesday, 28 September 2016
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Exhibit Hall E/F

CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOPARTICLES IN EJECTA FALLOUT OF LONAR CRATER, INDIA

Paper number: T337-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Authors

Arif M. Sikder Presenting Author
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA
Saumitra Misra
University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban
Carlos E. Castano Londono
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA
Dustin M. Clifford
Nanomaterial Characterization Center (NCC), Richmond, VA
Dmitry Pestov
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Richmond, VA
Elizabeth Keily
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Glen Allen, VA
Joseph B. McGee Turner
Department of Chemistry, Richmond, VA
Gregory C. Garman
Center for Environmental Studies (CES), Richmond, VA

Abstract

Nanoparticles formed within the ejecta plume are thought to play an important role in the catastrophic events due to meteorite impacts. However, the mode of origin of these nanoparticles in the ejecta fallout is still not clearly known due to its poor preservation potential and alteration. To understand the development of the nano-phase in the ejecta fallout, isolated magnetic particles from the ejecta blanket of the Lonar Crater in India were analyzed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and a high sensitivity scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrum analyzer (EDS). The studied particles were found as spatially segregated from each other and are comprised of both Fe-Ti oxide as determined by (electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) as well as Fe_(1-x)Ni_xalloy as determined by selected area electron diffraction (SAED) with all nanoparticles having an average diameter (D) ≈3.6 nm. The presence of single domain crystalline nanoparticles in the ejecta fallout supports its formation due to vapor-solid condensation within the impact ejecta plume.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 48, No. 7

doi: 10.1130/abs/2016AM-286100

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