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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

GCAGS Transactions

Abstract


Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Transactions Vol. 58 (2008), Pages 503-516

Impact Stratigraphy of the U.S. Gulf Coastal States

David T. King, Jr.1, and Lucille W. Petruny2

1Geology Office, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 36849-5305

2Astra Terra Research, Auburn, Alabama 36831-3323

ABSTRACT

In the U.S. Gulf coastal states, distal ejecta (i.e., tektites, microtektites, impact spherules, and/or shocked grains) from extraterrestrial impacts occur at several different stratigraphic levels. At the Cretaceous-Paleogene (KT) boundary, confirmed Chicxulub impact ejecta (mainly impact spherules) occur at sites in three states (Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas) and confirmed Chesapeake Bay impact ejecta (tektites) occur within upper Eocene strata in multi-county areas within both Georgia and Texas. In addition, impact ejecta, specifically microtektites and shocked mineral grains, which likely came from Chesapeake Bay, are found in Alabama and Georgia, respectively. Beyond these occurrences, we report on other possible, probable, and confirmed impact ejecta in the Gulf coastal states. This paper reviews these impact ejecta and related deposits and presents some new findings about some of these features.

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