SHOCK METAMORPHISM IN VOLCANIC ROCK DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE MIGUIR-CAJAS METEORITE IN 1995 AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR ECUADOR

Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites

article

Theofilos TOULKERIDIS¹  Richard Caleb ECHEGARAY-AVEIGA³  Karen Paola MARTINEZ-MALDONADO⁴ 

[1]Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE

[2]Universidad de Especialidades Turísticas, Department of Earth Sciences and Construction

[3]Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas ESPE, Department of Earth Sciences and Construction

[4]Universidad Nacional de Loja, Loja, Faculty of Energy

[5]Non-RenewableNatural Resources

关键词: Meteor impact;    shock metamorphism;    Cajas National Park;    tourism;    Ecuador;   

DOI  :  10.30892/gtg.35208-654

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Editura Universitatii din Oradea / University of Oradea Publishing House

【 摘 要 】

In the past of the earth several asteroids and meteoroids have been impacted, but most of these collisions have been eroded and today there are only sometimes direct and indirect indications, such as massive extinctions of species in the form of fossils, layers with content of extraterrestrial material among others. Based on our recent reconnaissance in the field in 2017, we have been able to identify a new impact of a meteorite on volcanic rock of the Miocene Tarqui Formation in central Ecuador. We were able to reveal and reconstruct the corresponding trajectory as well as its impact day being in 1995. Based on known impacts in South America, this is the very first to have been impacted on rocks, which would lead to a clear shock metamorphism. This discovery of the impact on a rock may soon be a major tourist attraction of the country due to its accessibility and importance for being unique in Ecuador and on the continent.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND