Comprehensive Geophysical study at Wabar crater, Rub Al-Khali desert,
Saudi Arabia
Abstract
The study of impact craters on Earth has picked up high worldwide
consideration, which can be done by studying the ground surface using
remote sensing (satellite), geological outcrops, drilling holes and
apply small-scale laboratory experiments trying to build the dynamic
models of crater formation and by collecting geophysical data. In this
work the near- crater sediments at the young Wabar crater field in Saudi
Arabia has been investigated using the magnetic, EM, seismic, and GPR
methods. The main targets of this research were exploring the
possibility of any remnant major pieces of the meteorite, investigate
the meteoroid direction, and map the deformation structure associate
with the meteorite impact. Our results shows five different magnetic
anomaly types and three layers at the subsurface. The maximum
deformation due to the impact of the meteorite is about 25 m as shown by
both the seismic traveltime tomogram and the 3D GPR model. Transient EM
survey confirmed the geometrical characteristics of the major crater and
locate a smaller crater (known as Philby-A). The magnetic survey shows
no evidence of any major piece of the meteorite, however, it was used to
trace ejecta material containing highly dilute magnetic material. The
magnetic carrier is most likely spheres of metal incorporated in the
black/green glasses. During the expedition, many small pieces of the
meteoroid were found and collected for further geochemical analysis.
Based on the geophysical findings, the meteorite direction was found to
be from north to south.