163-3 All craters, great and small – the economic aspects of impact structures and why we need a U.S. national impact crater survey

Session: Impact Cratering Processes Across the Solar System: In Memory of Dr. Bevan M. French

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Abstract:

Of the approximately 200 proven, impact structures on Earth, about 60 are located in the U.S.; and there are probably many more to be found. The economic potential of some impact structures within the U.S. is vast, yet there has not been a systematic study of known impact craters nor a search for presently unknown impact structures within the U.S. to assess this potential. Economic resources of impact structures includes potentially (1) progenetic components (impact-related, and spatially distributed, economically important materials that originated in target materials prior to impact by non-impact, terrestrial processes (e.g., Kentland and Barringer); (2) syngentic components (economically important materials that originated during the impact event or immediately thereafter as a direct result of the impact process; economic materials are the result of impact energy, including phase changes and/or melting; also includes hydrothermal deposits where heat energy was from impact (e.g. Crooked Creek and Decaturville); and (3) epigenetic components (economically important materials that originated from the formation of an enclosed topographic basin, with restricted sedimentation, or the long-term flow of fluids into structural traps formed by the impact event (e.g., Ames, Avak, and Red Wing). Impact structures, depending upon size, nature of target, and other factors, may possess structural and stratigraphic traps, which have the potential to not only store and then produce substantial epigenetic fluid resources, but also may be utilized as repositories for industrial waste products (including sequestration of supercritical carbon dioxide). Impact structures may also be vents for natural hydrogen and methane emissions, yet we have no data on this possible resource. Until a national impact crater survey of known and suspected impact structures is undertaken and the economic potential of these impact structures is fully assessed, the U.S. will not be able to effectively utilize these important natural features for their many potential economic benefits.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10439

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