The Kotuikan ring structure as possible evidence for a large impact event in the northern Siberian craton

Abstract

Remote-sensing, cosmogeological, tectonic, geophysical, structural, compositional, isotopic, and geochronological criteria permit identifying the Kotuikan ring structure in the northern Siberian Platform as a Paleoproterozoic large astrobleme, close in age to the Vredefort and Sudbury impact structures. Also, indirect evidence for two more large impact structures was obtained here. This confirms widely hypothesized massive bombardment of the early Earth by asteroids and a possible effect of large impact events on the Earth’s mantle dynamics and rotation regime, that is, the tectonic evolution of our planet, including plate tectonics.

Extraterrestrial factors and their role in the Earth’s tectonic evolution in the Early Precambrian

“…Certainly, it is important to locate in on the Earth, and we presume that it was located in the equatorial zone (Glukhovskii and Kuz'min, 2013;Glukhovskii et al, 1994) (Fig. 3).…”

“…2. This suggests important conclusions: First, Hadean and Archean crust were widespread on the Earth; second, ancient cratons on different continents might have previously made up a single continent (Glukhovskii and Kuz'min, 2013;Glukhovskii et al, 1994). The possibility of existence of a single ancient continent is substantiated in the next section.…”

“…3. Reconstruction of the epi-Archean supercontinent with centers of Archean and Paleoproterozoic impact events (modified and supplemented after (Glukhovskii and Kuz'min, 2013)). 1, Early Precambrian protocontinental crust of the epi-Archean supercontinent; 2, protooceanic crust; 3, sialic cores (nuclears)-derivates of impact-triggered LHB mantle plumes; 4, Paleoarchean Barberton, Pilbara, and Sargur greenstone zones ("hotspots") (a) and Meso-and Neoarchean granite-greenstone belts (b); 5, undivided Archean and Paleoproterozoic orogenic zones (granulite and fold belts); 6, centers of the impact events of stages II (a) and III, including actual (b) and predicted (c): 7, the same, phase IV, including large actual (a), predicted (b), and others (c); 8, boundaries of the present-day continents.…”

“…However, such a conclusion is refuted by the limited occurrence of these rocks (Champion et al, 2006;Glukhovskii, 1990;Grachev, 2005;Khain, 2003) and the convergence of geochemical indicators. They indicate geodynamic regimes (compression or extension) but cannot define the geodynamic settings of formation of the given association of igneous rocks without additional geologic features (Bogatikov et al, 2010;Glukhovskii and Kuz'min, 2013;Mitrofanov, 2009;Vrevskii, 2009;Zonenshain et al, 1976).…”

“…These are the Vredefort impact crater (300 km in diameter, 2.023 Ga), southern Africa; the Kotuikan (250 km, 1.95 Ga) and presumed Kuonamka and Arga-Sala astroblemes (approximately the same size), northern Siberian craton; and Sudbury (250 km, 1.85 Ga), Canadian Shield. In total, 14 Paleoproterozoic astroblemes of different sizes are known (Adushkin and Nemchinov, 2005;Glukhovskii and Kuz'min, 2013;Koeberl, 2006;The Earth Impact, 2007).…”