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Science 13 October 1995:
Vol. 270. no. 5234, pp. 281 - 283
DOI: 10.1126/science.270.5234.281
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Reports

Pseudotachylites Generated in Shock Experiments: Implications for Impact Cratering Products and Processes

Peter S. Fiske (1),  William J. Nellis,  Magnus Lipp,  Hector Lorenzana,  Masae Kikuchi,  Yasuhiko Syono

Laboratory hypervelocity impact experiments in which quartz was shock-loaded from 42 to 56 gigapascals imply that type A pseudotachylites form by strain heating and contribute to the loss of strength of rocks in the central uplift of large impact structures. Shock impedance-matched aluminum sample containers, in contrast to steel containers, produced nearly single-wave pressure loading, and enhanced deformation, of silicate samples. Strain heating may act with shock heating to devolatilize planetary materials and destroy extraterrestrial organic material in an impact.

P. S. Fiske, W. J. Nellis, M. Lipp, H. Lorenzana, L-413, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550, USA.  M. Kikuchi and Y. Syono, Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University, Katahira 2-1-1, Aoba-ku Sendai 980-77, Japan.  
(1) To whom correspondence should be addressed. 

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)