Abstract-Calcite crystals within the Kaibab limestone in Meteor Crater, Arizona, are examined to understand how calcite is deformed during a meteorite impact. The Kaibab limestone is a silty finegrained and fossiliferous dolomudstone and the calcite crystals occur as replaced evaporite nodules with impact-induced twinning. Twinning in the calcite is variable with deformational regimes based on abundances of crystals with twins and twin densities within crystals. The twins are similar to those that are seen in low tectonically deformed regimes. Low levels of shock are inferred from minor peak broadening of the X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) of the calcite crystals. In addition, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy data also indicates low shock levels (<3.0 GPa). Quantitative shock pressures and correlation between the XRD and ESR results are poor due to the inferred low shock levels in conjunction with the analytical error associated in calculation of the shock pressures.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.