Boulder Stranding in Ejecta Launched by an Impact Generated Seismic Pulse
Abstract
We investigate the trajectories of particles ejected from an asteroid's surface by a single strong upward propagating pressure pulse with laboratory experiments on dry polydisperse gravel mixtures. We consider how such an impact affects the surface of an asteroid distant from the impact site. The granular mixture is painted to fluoresce under blue LEDs and the ejecta curtain is recorded using a Krontech Chronos 1.4 high speed camera. We find that ejecta trajectories are independent of particle size, and that collisions primarily take place upon landing. When they land particles are ballistically sorted leaving larger particles on the surface and smaller particles more widely dispersed. A single strong pulse can leave previously buried boulders stranded on the surface. Boulder stranding due to an impact excited seismic pulse is an additional mechanism that could leave large boulders present on the surface of rubble asteroids such as Ryugu, Bennu, and Itokawa.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.P43D3499W
- Keywords:
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- 6297 Instruments and techniques;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS;
- 5405 Atmospheres;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS;
- 5455 Origin and evolution;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS;
- 5470 Surface materials and properties;
- PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS