"The Bushveld Bolide" 

Evidence for a Hypothetical Catastrophic Extra-terrestrial Impact Event. Buchanan 2012

Introduction  

The Bushveld Igneous Complex (BIC) South Africa is one of the largest and most enigmatic geological features on Earth. Traditionally, formation of the BIC has been attributed to extensive magmatic activity (Cawthorn, R.G. (1996). However, the unique shape and distribution of the complex, as well as its association with other regional geological features, suggest an alternative explanation. The BIC was formed by a massive, low-angle carbon rich extra-terrestrial impact shatter cone vaporising event.

Geological Evidence

The elliptical shatter cone shape of the BIC, spanning over 65,000 square km, indicates a trajectory of impact at a shallow angle, rather than a purely vertical magmatic intrusion (Reimold, W.U., & Gibson, R.L. (2006). The Pilanesberg volcano and associated lava flows in the region do not exhibit the expected circumferential distribution of flows, suggesting a more directional, impact-driven process causing the evolution of the volcano (Harmer, R.E., & Sharpe, M.R. (1985). Furthermore, the potential for the impact event to have "marginally bounced", creating a "plugging effect" that pushed up the Drakensberg Escarpment, provides a plausible mechanism to explain the complex geological features of the region (Partridge, T.C., & Maud, R.R. (1987).

Comparison to Other Impact Sites

The BIC shares several similarities with other well-known impact sites, such as the Vredefort Dome and the Chicxulub Crater. Like these features, the BIC exhibits a large, elongate circular to elliptical shape and is associated with significant regional uplift and deformation (Grieve, R.A. (1987) Schulte et al (2010).

Hypothetically, should a large meteorite be responsible for the BIC which struck Earth at an extremely low angle, less than 10 degrees from horizontal, with a high enough velocity, it is theoretically possible that it could ricochet off the surface and escape Earth's gravitational pull.

In this hypothetical scenario:

  • The meteorite would need to be massive, likely several kilometres in diameter, similar to the extent and size of what could have triggered the formation of the Bushveld Igneous Complex.
  • The impact velocity would need to be extremely high, likely in excess of 20 km/s (45,000 mph).
  • Striking the Earth at an angle less than 10 degrees from the horizontal would be critical, as this shallow angle could allow the meteorite to "skip" off the surface rather than digging in and dissipating all of its kinetic energy.

The specific orientation and geometry of the Bushveld Igneous Complex could potentially have been a contributing factor of a large, high-velocity meteorite were to strike the Earth at an extremely low angle and manage to ricochet back into space. What occurred post the hypothetical impact is documented in the geological history of this probable astrobleme.

Implications and Future Research

If the BIC was indeed formed by a catastrophic extra-terrestrial impact event, it would have profound implications not only for understanding of Earth's geological history, but also for the evolution of the mammalian kingdom and all life on Earth, including our human species. Such a massive impact event could have significantly disrupted global ecosystems and triggered widespread environmental changes that shaped the course of biological evolution on our planet.

Further research, including detailed geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and geochemical analysis, is needed to test this hypothesis and provide more conclusive evidence. Such investigations could shed light on the potential for the BIC to host significant groundwater resources as indicated in its carbonate karstic periphery including its well documented confined buries succession, as well as the broader implications for the evolution of the African continent and the development of complex life forms over geological timescales.

References:

1. Cawthorn, R.G. (1996). The Bushveld Complex, South Africa.

2. Reimold, W.U., & Gibson, R.L. (2006). The Vredefort impact structure, South Africa: The scientific value of a world heritage site. Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 41(9), 1537-1554.

3. Harmer, R.E., & Sharpe, M.R. (1985). Field relations and strontium isotope systematics of the marginal rocks of the Bushveld Complex. Economic Geology, 80(4), 813-837.

4. Partridge, T.C., & Maud, R.R. (1987). Geomorphic evolution of southern Africa since the Mesozoic. South African Journal of Geology, 90(2), 179-208.

5. Grieve, R.A. (1987). Terrestrial impact structures. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 15(1), 245-270.

6. Schulte, P., Alegret, L., Arenillas, I., Arz, J.A., Barton, P.J., Bown, P.R., ... & Willumsen, P.S. (2010). The Chicxulub asteroid impact and mass extinction at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. Science, 327(5970), 1214-1218.

 

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