Paleomagnetic Records at Impact Craters

Impact cratering events produce heat, shock, and if water is present, post-impact hydrothermal activity.  All of these processes are capable of setting or resetting magnetization in rocks.  Therefore, paleomagnetism may be used as a powerful tool with which to understand the physical and chemical conditions associated with crater formation and subsequent recovery.  Our group is currently studying impact-related magnetization at the Chicxulub and Chesapeake Bay impact craters.  We are also interested in conducting shock experiments on rock samples to understand the effects of pressure and shock-related heating on magnetic remanence and on paleointensities retrieved from shocked materials.