Morphological,structural and lithological records of terrestrial impacts: an overview

Impact cratering produces not only craterform topographic features, but also structural disturbances at the site of impact, and a spectrum of transformed and newly formed rocks. The term ‘coptogenesis’ (from the Greek χoπτo, to destroy by shock) may be used collectively to describe the impact process—a process fundamental to all cosmic bodies. Principal coptogenic topographic features of terrestrial impact craters may be subdivided into excavational, structural and accumulative landforms, most of which subsequently experience various processes of degradation. Nevertheless, the original shape of craters may in some cases be reconstructed and compared with fresh craters on other planets. An immediate conformity between the pre-erosional topographic features of complex terrestrial craters, and the morphostructural elements of their erosional remnants, is not a standing rule. Geological observations show that the inner structure of the proximal crater fill and distal ejecta are characterised by pseudo-stratification and that these materials represent a group of facies of impact-derived and impact-related, or coptogenic, lithologies. The study of these facies allows us to distinguish various facies settings of rock-forming processes. Impact lithologies, or coptogenic rocks, may be systematised and classified using the principles adopted by igneous petrology and volcanology. Appropriate geological methods and approaches should be applied to the investigation of terrestrial impact craters, including their identification, mapping, and study of their various physiographic, structural, and lithological features.