Subscribe free to our newsletters via your
. 24/7 Space News .




DEEP IMPACT
Ancient meteorite impact in Iowa studied
by Staff Writers
Decorah, Iowa (UPI) Mar 5, 2013


disclaimer: image is for illustration purposes only

Airborne surveys are providing an unprecedented look at a 470-million-year-old meteorite crater in Iowa concealed by bedrock and sediment, geologists say.

The aerial surveys were conducted around Decorah, Iowa, within the past 60 days to map geologic structures and assess the mineral and water resources of the region, the U.S. Geological Survey said in a release Tuesday.

"Capturing images of an ancient meteorite impact was a huge bonus," said Paul Bedrosian, a USGS geophysicist in Denver who is leading the effort to analyze the recently acquired geophysical data. "These findings highlight the range of applications that these geophysical methods can address."

Iowa Department of Natural Resources geologists examined water well drill-cuttings in 2008-09 and recognized a unique shale unit preserved beneath and near Decorah.

The extent of the shale defined a "nice circular basin" 3.4 miles in diameter, Robert McKay, a geologist with the Iowa Geological Survey, said.

"The recognition of this buried geological structure was possible because of the collaboration of a local geologist, water well drillers, the USGS STATEMAP program, and the support of the Iowa DNR concerning research on fundamental aspects of Iowa geology," McKay said.

The data show the impact as a nearly circular region distinct from the surrounding area to a depth of several hundred meters, the geologists said.

.


Related Links
Asteroid and Comet Impact Danger To Earth - News and Science






Comment on this article via your Facebook, Yahoo, AOL, Hotmail login.

Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle








DEEP IMPACT
Apophis May Strike Earth in 2068
Moscow (RIA Novosti) Mar 01, 2013
The 325-meter (1,066-foot) asteroid 99942 Apophis, that will safely fly by the Earth in 2029 and 2036, may strike the planet in 2068, according to an article published on the NASA website. The chances of it striking Earth are slim, however, with impact odds being about 2.3 in a million. The near-Earth asteroid has been the focus of considerable attention after it was discovered in De ... read more


DEEP IMPACT
China to use modified rocket for moon landing mission

Water On The Moon: It's Been There All Along

Building a lunar base with 3D printing

US, Europe team up for moon fly-by

DEEP IMPACT
NASA's Curiosity rover to be back online next week

Short Bump Gets Robotic Arm Closer to Rock Target

NASA fixing computer glitch on Mars Curiosity rover

Inspiration Mars to Pursue Human Mission to the Red Planet in 2018

DEEP IMPACT
Sequestration and the Civil Space Industry

Gadgets and gizmos galore at world's top IT fair

New tech aims to transform homes, shopping in Spain

General Dynamics Modernizes Ground System Terminals for NASA's Next-generation TDRS Satellites

DEEP IMPACT
China to launch new manned spacecraft

Woman expected again to join next China crew roster

China's space station will be energy-efficient

China plans manned space mission

DEEP IMPACT
ESA's Columbus Biolab Facility

SpaceX set for third mission to space station

Record Number of Students Control ISS Camera

NASA briefly loses contact with space station

DEEP IMPACT
Vega launcher integration continues for its April mission

SpaceX's capsule arrives at ISS

Dragon Transporting Two ISS Experiments For AMES

SpaceX Optimistic Despite Dragon Capsule Mishap

DEEP IMPACT
The Birth of a Giant Planet?

Scientists spot birth of giant planet

NASA's Kepler Mission Discovers Tiny Planet System

Kepler helps astronomers find tiny exo planet

DEEP IMPACT
Creating your own animated 3D characters and scenes for the web

Towards more sustainable construction

Physicists demonstrate the acceleration of electrons by a laser in a vacuum

SimCity rebuilt for modern life




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2014 - Space Media Network. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement