Impact cratering is the process by which hypervelocity collisions of extraterrestrial bodies (e.g., asteroids, comets, meteoroids) with a planetary surface excavate material and form characteristic circular depressions. It involves three main stages: contact and compression, where shock waves propagate and generate extreme pressures and temperatures; excavation, during which target material is displaced outward and upward, forming a transient cavity and ejecta; and modification, where gravitational collapse and rock rheology reshape the transient cavity into a final crater morphology. Impact cratering is a fundamental geologic process that influences crustal structure, surface evolution, and volatile redistribution on solid bodies throughout the Solar System.
When high-velocity asteroids land on Earth, they can form a meteor impact crater. Such collisions have occurred throughout Earth's history and still occur on other planetary bodies today.
Planetary Sciences
Jul 24, 2025
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Impact craters are formed when an object from space such as a meteoroid, asteroid or comet strikes Earth at a very high velocity. This leaves an excavated circular hole in the Earth's surface.
Planetary Sciences
Jul 21, 2025
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Geology is full of detective stories about the Earth's history, and a new paper in Geology by University of New Mexico Distinguished Professors Emeritus Karl Karlstrom and Laurie Crossey, along with their co‐authors, links ...
Space Exploration
Jul 15, 2025
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Ever been late because you misread a clock? Sometimes, the "clocks" geologists use to date events can also be misread. Unraveling Earth's 4.5-billion-year history with rocks is tricky business.
Planetary Sciences
Jul 10, 2025
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When NASA's DART spacecraft slammed into the asteroid moon Dimorphos in September 2022, it didn't just change the asteroid's orbit as intended—it unleashed a massive barrage of boulders that carried more than three times ...
Planetary Sciences
Jul 8, 2025
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Most meteorites that have reached Earth come from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. But we have 1,000 or so meteorites that come from the moon and Mars. This is probably a result of asteroids hitting their surfaces ...
Planetary Sciences
Jun 25, 2025
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If a huge asteroid smashes into the moon in 2032, the gigantic explosion would send debris streaming toward Earth that would threaten satellites and create a spectacular meteor shower, according to researchers.
Astronomy
Jun 23, 2025
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About 66 million years ago—perhaps on a downright unlucky day in May—an asteroid smashed into our planet.
Evolution
Jun 10, 2025
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An international study featuring scientists from Curtin University's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Space Science and Technology Center offers new insights into the moon's history and provides a better understanding ...
Planetary Sciences
May 12, 2025
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In December, astronomers identified that the asteroid YR4 had a small but not insignificant chance of striking Earth in 2032, a scenario that experts postulated could have more explosive potential than 500 Hiroshima nuclear ...
Planetary Sciences
May 12, 2025
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