The Salt Lake Tribune
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
International crater of mystery
Discovery News reports that one of the longest-running geological mysteries in North America has been solved: The crater-like Upheaval Dome in Utah's Canyonlands National Park was caused by a meteor impact, not a volcano or Mike Noel out four-wheeling.
For decades geologists have debated whether the picturesque "Sphinx of Geology," viewed by millions of park visitors, was created by a volcanic outburst, an eruption of salt or a meteor impact. Then a crucial clue was discovered: "shocked quartz," which can be created only by the intense pressures of a violent meteor impact.

A shout out to German geologists Elmar Buchner and Thomas Kenkmann for clearing it up.

posted by gwarchol @ 11:12 AM |

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