Crater features diagnostic of oblique impacts: The size and position of the central peak
Publisher
The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
Using Magellan data, I have investigated two crater characteristics that have been cited as diagnostic of oblique impacts: an uprange offset of the central peak in complex craters, and an increasing central peak diameter relative to crater diameter with decreasing impact angle. I find that the offset distribution is random and very similar to that for high-angle impacts, and that there is no correlation between central peak diameter and impact angle. Accordingly, these two crater characteristics cannot be used to infer the impact angle or direction.Type
textThesis-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
M.S.Degree Level
mastersDegree Program
Graduate CollegePlanetary Sciences