Preservation of paleoflora in impact melt rocks of the El’gygytgyn crater on the Chukotka Peninsula (Russia)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/dopovidi2019.02.052Keywords:
cell tissue, impact melt rock, impact structure, paleofloraAbstract
The El’gygytgyn impact crater, 18kmdiameter, was formed 3.6 Ma years ago on the Chukotka Peninsula (Russia). Impactites in the crater are represented by impact melt rocks, glassy bombs, and shock metamorphosed volcanic target rocks. Relic floral remnants, including scraps of cell tissue, vegetal fibers, and some other floral particles are discovered by electron microscopic investigations of impact melt rocks. Floral remnants are enclosed in gas bubbles in the glassy matrix of impact melt rocks. The discovery of floral remnants in impactites of the El’gygytgyn crater indicates the possibility of the longterm preservation of traces of organic life during the impact cratering
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