Abstract
The Chelyabinsk asteroid impact is the second largest asteroid airburst in our recorded history. To prepare for a potential threat from asteroid impacts, it is important to understand the nature and formational history of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) like Chelyabinsk asteroid. In orbital evolution of an asteroid, collision with other asteroids is a key process. Here, we show the existence of a high-pressure mineral jadeite in shock-melt veins of Chelyabinsk meteorite. Based on the mineral assemblage and calculated solidification time of the shock-melt veins, the equilibrium shock pressure and its duration were estimated to be at least 3- 12 GPa and longer than 70 ms, respectively. This suggests that an impactor larger than 0.15-0.19 km in diameter collided with the Chelyabinsk parent body at a speed of at least 0.4-1.5 km/s. This impact might have separated the Chelyabinsk asteroid from its parent body and delivered it to the Earth.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 5033 |
Journal | Scientific reports |
Volume | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 May 22 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General