Concentric impact structures in the Palaeozoic of Sweden — the Lockne and Siljan craters

摘要

The Ordovician age Lockne and Devonian Siljan craters are two of the largest impact structures in northern Europe. Both formed in targets with a thick, low-strength upper layer. This target configuration is known to generate concentric crater structures with an outer, shallow crater in the low-strength layer, surrounding a central, deeper crater in the more resistant substrate. The concentric craters of Lockne and Siljan are excellent models for studies of similar concentric craters on Earth and elsewhere in the Solar system. Several structural issues remain, and drilling through the craters within the Swedish Deep Drilling Program intends to address the following: the extent of the craters with respect to the time of impact; the effects of cratering on the basement; and the role of basement structure for the crater formation. A problem for the Lockne crater is the relation to the Caledonian orogeny and the lateral extension of the ejecta blanket – the rim is interrupted by a radial depression that has been interpreted both as primary and secondary, tectonically induced. A second feature to study is the deeper and older (1.82-1.80 Ga) NNW–SSE shear zones that cut the basement. In the Siljan area the development of mega block associations comprising the infilling of the graben is disputed. The blocks may either be formed by sagging of peripheral parts of the fault blocks or alternatively by major radial movement involving kilometre long transport.