Burckle crater | |
---|---|
Impact crater/structure | |
Confidence | Hypothesized, contested |
Diameter | ~29 km (18 mi; 16 nmi) |
Depth | 3,800 m (12,500 ft) |
Age | ~5000 years ( Holocene) |
Exposed | No |
Drilled | No |
Bolide type | Unknown, possibly remains of a comet |
Location | |
Coordinates | 30°51′54″S 61°21′54″E / 30.865°S 61.365°E |
The Burckle crater is an undersea topographic feature about 29 kilometres (18 mi; 16 nmi) in diameter [1] in the southwestern Indian Ocean. A team of Earth scientists called the Holocene Impact Working Group proposes the feature to be an impact crater; these claims are disputed by other geologists. [2]
Burckle Crater lies 3,810 metres (12,500 ft) below the surface in the southern Indian Ocean at 30°51′54″S 61°21′54″E / 30.865°S 61.365°E. It is east of Madagascar and west of Western Australia, adjacent to the mid-ocean Southwest Indian Ridge.
Burckle Crater's position was determined in 2006 by the Holocene Impact Working Group using prehistoric chevron dune formations in Australia and Madagascar. Based on a hypothesis that these dunes were formed by a megatsunami resulting from an impact, the researchers were able to triangulate the location of Burckle Crater.
In 2009, geologists Jody Bourgeois and R. Weiss challenged the hypothesis that a megatsunami created the chevron dunes. Using a computer model to simulate a tsunami, they argued that the structures are more consistent with aeolian processes. [3] Other Earth scientists also dispute the tsunami origin of the chevrons. [2]
Other problems with the claim include:
Burckle crater | |
---|---|
Impact crater/structure | |
Confidence | Hypothesized, contested |
Diameter | ~29 km (18 mi; 16 nmi) |
Depth | 3,800 m (12,500 ft) |
Age | ~5000 years ( Holocene) |
Exposed | No |
Drilled | No |
Bolide type | Unknown, possibly remains of a comet |
Location | |
Coordinates | 30°51′54″S 61°21′54″E / 30.865°S 61.365°E |
The Burckle crater is an undersea topographic feature about 29 kilometres (18 mi; 16 nmi) in diameter [1] in the southwestern Indian Ocean. A team of Earth scientists called the Holocene Impact Working Group proposes the feature to be an impact crater; these claims are disputed by other geologists. [2]
Burckle Crater lies 3,810 metres (12,500 ft) below the surface in the southern Indian Ocean at 30°51′54″S 61°21′54″E / 30.865°S 61.365°E. It is east of Madagascar and west of Western Australia, adjacent to the mid-ocean Southwest Indian Ridge.
Burckle Crater's position was determined in 2006 by the Holocene Impact Working Group using prehistoric chevron dune formations in Australia and Madagascar. Based on a hypothesis that these dunes were formed by a megatsunami resulting from an impact, the researchers were able to triangulate the location of Burckle Crater.
In 2009, geologists Jody Bourgeois and R. Weiss challenged the hypothesis that a megatsunami created the chevron dunes. Using a computer model to simulate a tsunami, they argued that the structures are more consistent with aeolian processes. [3] Other Earth scientists also dispute the tsunami origin of the chevrons. [2]
Other problems with the claim include: