Chromium isotope evidence in ejecta deposits for the nature of Paleoproterozoic impactors

Author(s)
Bérengère Mougel, Frédéric Moynier, Christa Göpel, Christian Koeberl
Abstract

Non-mass dependent chromium isotopic signatures have been successfully used to determine the presence and identification of extra-terrestrial materials in terrestrial impact rocks. Paleoproterozoic spherule layers from Greenland (Grænsesø) and Russia (Zaonega), as well as some distal ejecta deposits (Lake Superior region) from the Sudbury impact (1849±0.3 Ma) event, have been analyzed for their Cr isotope compositions. Our results suggest that 1) these distal ejecta deposits are all of impact origin, 2) the Grænsesø and Zaonega spherule layers contain a distinct carbonaceous chondrite component, and are possibly related to the same impact event, which could be Vredefort (2023±4 Ma) or another not yet identified large impact event from that of similar age, and 3) the Sudbury ejecta record a complex meteoritic signature, which is different from the Grænsesø and Zaonega spherule layers, and could indicate the impact of a heterogeneous chondritic body.

Organisation(s)
Department of Lithospheric Research
External organisation(s)
Université Sorbonne-Paris-Cité, Université Paris VII - Paris-Diderot
Journal
Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Volume
460
Pages
105-111
No. of pages
7
ISSN
0012-821X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2016.12.008
Publication date
02-2017
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
105105 Geochemistry
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Geochemistry and Petrology, Geophysics, Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous), Space and Planetary Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/6e554ec0-0b6c-44d5-a74a-2d588d4d5dc4