THE IMPACT CRATER BANDWAGON (SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE TERRESTRIAL IMPACT CRATERING RECORD)

Abstract

This editorial provides a discussion of some problems concerning the current record of terrestrial impact structures, and the recognition and confirmation of new impact structures. According to the well-appreciated Earth Impact Database of the University of New Brunswick, Canada (www.unb.ca/passc/ImpactDatabase), currently (28 July 2007) 174 impact structures are known on Earth. Unfortunately, this list does seem to contain at least two structures that cannot be considered confirmed impact structures: the two Arkenu structures in Libya that were proposed as impact structures by Paillou et al. (2003), but which have been debated in Libya as likely carbonatite complexes of endogenic origin (M. Baegi, Remote Sensing Authority, Tripoli, personal communication, October 2006).