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Re: Chicxulub: Not an Impact structure?
Frank,
A very interesting and thoughtful post, and, as with many evolving theories in
science, Chicxulub and the K/T extinction have a long way to go before they
can be linked conclusively as direct cause and effect (my opinion).
Looking back 65 million years it is difficult to reconstruct an event or
series of events that may have taken place over a relatively short period of
time. It would be short-sighted to think that an impact of Chicxulub intensity
might not result in a subsequent magmatic event or events as is postulated for
Sudbury and Vredefort. Magma flows or volcanic eruptions that occurred as a
result of a massive impact could confuse the record. It is also interesting to
note that the Caribbean is one of a few areas on the planet with small
(fractured?) tectonic plates.
I think a protracted series of major events provides a more realistic
explanation for a major extinction and may help to explain apparently
conflicting findings in the area, particularly those that define different
types of activity, conflicting time lines and confused stratification.
Gene
References: