A meteorite impact crater field in eastern Bavaria? A preliminary report

Abstract

Abstract-Numerous circular depressions north of Burghausen in eastern Bavaria, with diameters ranging from meters to tens of meters in size and dispersed over an area of at least 11 × 7 km, are suspected to have an extraterrestrial origin since they resemble other small meteorite impact craters. The depressions are bowl-shaped, have high circularity and a characteristic rim. Most of them were formed in unconsolidated glacial gravels and pebbles intermixed with fine-grained sand and clay. Magnetic investigations reveal weak anomalies with amplitudes of less than ±10 nanoTesla (nT). In some cases, the origins of the anomalies are suspected to be due to human activity within the structures. So far, no traces of meteoritic material have been detected. An evident archaeological or local geological explanation for the origin of the craters does not exist. A World War I and II explosive origin can be excluded since trees with ages exceeding 100 years can be found in some craters. One crater was described in 1909. Carbon-14 dating of charcoal found in one crater yielded an age of 1790 ± 60 years. Hence, a formation by meteorite impacts that occurred in Celtic or early medieval times should be considered. A systematic archaeological excavation of some structures and an intensified search for traces of meteoritic material are planned.

The sinkhole enigma in the Alpine Foreland, Southeast Germany: Evidence of impact-induced rock liquefaction processes

“…From earthquakes it is known that liquefaction explosion can produce perfectly circular craters [3,9] that sometimes are reminiscent of smaller craters in the Chiemgau impact strewn field. While in the Chiemgau area many craters show clear impact signature like melt rocks, shock effects and distinct geomagnetic anomalies [36,[51][52][53] others do not. Hence, the possibility that both meteorite impact and liquefaction craters may exist in and contribute to the crater-strewn field may not completely be excluded and has yet to be verified.…”

Meteoritic Matter and Spherules in a Presumed Impact Crater at Emmerting, Germany

“…The authors [53] stated that silicides, mainly xifengite and gupeiite, were found in the region even more than 20 cm below the undisturbed forest soil surface, or in such archaeological situations which would preclude recent industrial origin. Other authors, however, denied the preferential occurrence of silicides in craters as well as their presence in deeper soil horizons, and pointed to the chemical and isotopic compositions and large particle size inconsistent with cosmic origin of the silicides [54,55].…”

“…The fragmentation of a single body as suggested by [53] and [12] to explain the elongate "Chiemgau-Impact strewn field" is problematic (see also [55]). Nevertheless, a smaller strewn field at Burghausen, including both craters at Emmerting [7,61], may be realistic, especially in the case of a 'rubble-pile'-like impactor. The assumption that many small asteroids have such a "loose" consistence has been confirmed by spacecraft missions (e.g., [62]).…”

“…The two impact craters at Emmerting investigated (Nos. 4 and 5 in the numbering of suspect depressions near Burghausen -see [7]) have formed in very coarse unconsolidated sediments of Quaternary alluvial terraces. No impact crater in a similar target has widely been accepted yet [1].…”

The case for significant numbers of extraterrestrial impacts through the late Holocene

“…Unlike Kaali and Wabar, which are accepted as extraterrestrial in origin, the origin of the Sirente craters has been contested, with the suggestion that these circular, lake-filled craters are no more than artificial lakes for watering livestock (Speranza et al, 2004). Similarly, the Burghausen/ Chiemgau crater field in south Germany is still under discussion despite highly persuasive evidence for exotic chemistry at the site (Fehr et al, 2005).…”