Pressure–temperature evolution of primordial solar system solids during impact-induced compaction

P. A. Bland (), G. S. Collins, T. M. Davison, N. M. Abreu, F. J. Ciesla, A. R. Muxworthy and J. Moore
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P. A. Bland: Curtin University
G. S. Collins: Impacts & Astromaterials Research Centre (IARC), Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
T. M. Davison: Impacts & Astromaterials Research Centre (IARC), Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
N. M. Abreu: Earth Science Program, Pennsylvania State University—Du Bois Campus
F. J. Ciesla: University of Chicago
A. R. Muxworthy: Impacts & Astromaterials Research Centre (IARC), Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
J. Moore: Impacts & Astromaterials Research Centre (IARC), Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Prior to becoming chondritic meteorites, primordial solids were a poorly consolidated mix of mm-scale igneous inclusions (chondrules) and high-porosity sub-μm dust (matrix). We used high-resolution numerical simulations to track the effect of impact-induced compaction on these materials. Here we show that impact velocities as low as 1.5 km s−1 were capable of heating the matrix to >1,000 K, with pressure–temperature varying by >10 GPa and >1,000 K over ~100 μm. Chondrules were unaffected, acting as heat-sinks: matrix temperature excursions were brief. As impact-induced compaction was a primary and ubiquitous process, our new understanding of its effects requires that key aspects of the chondrite record be re-evaluated: palaeomagnetism, petrography and variability in shock level across meteorite groups. Our data suggest a lithification mechanism for meteorites, and provide a ‘speed limit’ constraint on major compressive impacts that is inconsistent with recent models of solar system orbital architecture that require an early, rapid phase of main-belt collisional evolution.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6451

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