Impact-Related Rock Matrix needs Identification...

[Impact Physics]

The photo (above) shows a gray sediment sample recovered from a very probable impact-related site involving intense heat and pressure. The gray rock matrix is littered with glassy-black microparticles, presently interpreted as tektites. Multiple melt veins display a common impact-related diagnostic known as shock deformation, involving zig-zag lines interpreted as planar deformation features.

Does anyone have some proper identification for this type of gray rock sample or any theories to further research, as to what the actual gray matrix could be described and labeled as?




* 20x view showing glassy-black microparticles heavily pitted throughout the gray matrix.



* 60x view showing probable microtektites.



*60x view showing (PDF's) planar deformation features found throughout the sample. Such features are commonly used as diagnostic evidence for impact evidence.

Does anyone have a positive ID for this type of gray rock matrix material?

I would appreciate it and thanks in advance.

- James Tate

 

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[smokeythecat]

It may be shale, does a drop of acid bubble on it? Sedimentary rocks containing some lime will do that. Neat specimen.

 

[Impact Physics]

The Underlying Breccia Deposits might give a clue...

Shale, Slate, Limestone, Dolomite, as the possibilities are nearly endless. It's certainly a type (or possible mixture) of ancient U.S. Western Interior Seaway sediment. I've never had an acid test performed on the gray rock matrix material. However, I have had an ICP acid element analysis test (assay lab), performed on pieces similar to the tan-colored inclusion fragment from the (previous post). The results were very strange, as the analysis of two separate pieces measured at 98 % (unknown), per a (ppm) parts per million test. The test on two separate samples didn't register any Si (rock) numbers at all. Leading one to speculate that it could indeed be a form of Carbon, one of the only elements the analysis did "not" test for. The tan inclusions resemble many "reoccurring" bone fragment shapes and sizes. The tan inclusions do not weather and cut through glass leaving a heavy residue of glass powder, suggesting they are very hard on the scale of things.

Yeah, an electron microscope would solve many of these questions, but I don't currently have access to one.

The impact-related site in question exists as multiple "rounded-edge" chevron deposits that rest against the North-West Edge of the ancient U.S. Western Interior Seaway and run for 75 miles in length, and likely register an average depth/height of 450 ft. Given this is likely an impact-related event site dealing with extreme energy pressure and heat environments, the initial breccia deposits found at the (bottom) of the event site might give the initial clue as to what a "gray sediment matrix" infused with extreme heat and pressure might have originally consisted of. The photo (below) demonstrates a large sample that exhibits characteristics of severe catastrophic deposition. Meaning, that a shockwave/airblast ripped up existing sediment structures, and re-deposited them in a violent/catastrophic layer, but without a high temperature/melting "alteration" involved.



* The above sample shows a view of the lower level catastrophic breccia-deposit layers. These layers average 80-100 ft. in depth, and run for 75 miles. These deposits also heavily suggest an asteroid impact origin exhibiting evidence of catastrophic deposition, microtektites, and planar deformation features (PDF's). The sample shows a likelihood of "sediment rip-up clasts" representing the existing ocean basement sediment, exhibiting features of the original bedding planes. as this would also likely suggest these specific rip-up fragments are indeed un-melted and un-altered.

Should these fragments become melted and altered, what would the (above) altered deposit layers be labeled and described as? That's the real question here.

Maybe, altered Impact Melt Rock with a specific elemental recipe, due to specific circumstances involved. Meaning, a normal terrestrial and geological classification is never going to match with it, due to the extreme circumstances and energy involved in producing it. Maybe...?





* A closer view from the sample (above) showing several gray sandstone like rip-up clasts. The gray clasts are coated with a tan-light brown cementing agent, filling in what tiny spaces and crevasses that exist between each tightly-spaced clast/inclusion.





* A side view from the (above) sample exhibiting individual gray rip-clasts, that also likely exhibit evidence of the original "bedding plane" features, formed and deposited under more normal circumstances.




* a smaller research sample from the lower breccia deposits exhibits rip-up clasts that span from 0-90 degrees. A spreading fold of individual clast deposits that requires a different explanation and origin of formation. These clasts exhibit the same black microparticles (microtektites) found throughout the entire depth of the 450ft depth of the impact structure.




* a 60x view (above sample) showing the same black-glassy microparticles fused against the surface of each inclusion/clast. The evidence of these microparticles and shock-effect features are found throughout the entirety of this 75 mile-wide /450ft tall impact structure and indeed suggests that each deposited layer is connected with the same catastrophic event.

That's the real question here...

What did this sediment basement deposit consist of?

And, what is it now?

Thanks for reading and any comments, theories, and "impact debunking" accepted.

One can always find new data within a vast array of perspectives and interpretations.

- James Tate