scientific

Collaborative research led by geologists at Trinity College Dublin has found compelling evidence that one of the largest preserved impact structures on Earth was caused by a comet that collided with our planet more than 1.8 billion years ago.

Through a study recently published through the international journal Terra Nova, Trinity explains the reasoning behind their study stating that the Sudbury crater in Ontario, Canada, was caused by a comet, not a meteorite.

Comets are composed of frozen dust and gas and carry some heavy elements, while meteorites are solid rocks that deliver ferrous elements, such as platinum, to Earth.

Geologists point out that any object that falls to Earth will almost completely vaporize as it enters. Only a meteorite large enough to create a crater the size of the Sudbury basin. With that scientists believe that so far, comets are the most likely culprit for the formation of the Sudbury impact crater.

Professor of Geology from the School of Natural Sciences at Trinity, Balz Kamber, said: “Our findings provide further evidence that some very large terrestrial impact basins were created by comets,” he said.

Today the Sudbury area has become one of the world’s major mining communities. This is because the large Sudbury basin contains magma containing nickel, copper, platinum, palladium, gold and other metals. The Sudbury Basin is one of the world’s largest suppliers of nickel and copper ores, all of which are found on the outer rim of the basin.

Intern reporter: Safira Tiur Margaretha

(mdk/phase)