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Microtektites and mass extinctions - evidence for a late Devonian asteroid impact
Claeys, P.; Casier, J.G.; Margolis, S.V. (1992). Microtektites and mass extinctions - evidence for a late Devonian asteroid impact. Science (Wash.) 257(5073): 1102-1104. dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.257.5073.1102
In: Science (Washington). American Association for the Advancement of Science: New York, N.Y. ISSN 0036-8075; e-ISSN 1095-9203, more
Peer reviewed article  
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Keywords
    Geological time > Phanerozoic > Paleozoic > Palaeozoic > Devonian > Devonian, Upper > Famennian
    Geological time > Phanerozoic > Paleozoic > Palaeozoic > Devonian > Devonian, Upper > Frasnian
    Belgium, Cerfontaine [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal
Authors  Top 
  • Claeys, P., more
  • Casier, J.G.
  • Margolis, S.V.
Abstract
    Glass spherules, similar to microtektites, have been found near the Frasnian-Famennian boundary (F/F) (Upper Devonian) at Senzeilles, Belgium, contemporaneous with one of the largest marine mass extinctions of the Phanerozoic. These spherules exhibit a wide range of compositions and display teardrop, dumbbell, and compound morphologies analogous to microtektites. In addition, they lack crystallites, have few or no vesicles, and have a low content of volatile material. These characteristics are supportive of an impact origin. The Siljan Ring (Sweden) and Charlevoix structure (Quebec, Canada) are candidate craters of this age. The presence of microtektites near the F/F boundary supports the hypothesis that an impact caused the Upper Devonian worldwide benthic mass extinctions.
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