Scientists have confirmed that an asteroid struck the southern North Sea approximately 43 to 46 million years ago, creating the Silverpit Crater. As a result, the confirmation of crustal growth, one of Earth’s most important scientific topics. It illuminates the negative impact processes that have pockmarked, abused, or otherwise irrevocably altered our planet.
The Silverpit Crater, pictured above, lies some 80 miles off the Yorkshire coast. It is around 3 kilometers across and is located 700 meters under the ocean floor. Encircling the crater is a 20-kilometer wide region of concentric faults, suggesting the catastrophic nature of the strike. Dr Uisdean Nicholson and his team combined high-resolution seismic imaging with microscopic examination of rock cuttings. Their research thus made the case for an impact-based extraterrestrial theory very compelling.
Evidence of Impact
Scientists first found the Silverpit Crater by chance in 2002. New research has shown that the 160-meter-wide asteroid actually hit the ocean floor at a shallow angle from the west. Dr. Nicholson’s team employed numerical models, developed in collaboration with Professor Gareth Collins, to analyze the impact’s effects.
“Our evidence shows that a 160 meter–wide asteroid hit the seabed at a low angle from the west. Within minutes, it created a 1.5-kilometer high curtain of rock and water that then collapsed into the sea, creating a tsunami over 100 meters high.” – Uisdean Nicholson
This research highlights Silverpit as a truly unique and special feature, far greater than an example of a regular impact crater. Today, it’s one of Earth’s rare hypervelocity impact craters. Nicholson says the preservation of these craters is phenomenal. This preservation occurs simply because Earth’s active geological processes typically destroy most evidence of impact events within very short geological timescales.
“Silverpit is a rare and exceptionally preserved hypervelocity impact crater. These are rare because the Earth is such a dynamic planet—plate tectonics and erosion destroy almost all traces of most of these events,” – Uisdean Nicholson
Implications of the Findings
The implications of these discoveries surrounding Silverpit Crater are profound for our understanding of planetary geology overall. So far, only 33 confirmed impact craters remain hidden beneath the ocean. This type of research allows scientists to better understand how asteroid impacts have influenced the development of Earth and potentially other planets as well throughout history.
Dr. Nicholson couldn’t contain his excitement over these findings, as they’re crucial to learning how we might respond to future asteroid threats.
“It is very rewarding to have finally found the silver bullet. We can now get on with the exciting job of using the amazing new data to learn more about how impacts shape planets below the surface,” – Uisdean Nicholson
This research has amassed a wealth of consistent, clear evidence. More importantly, it can enable better predictions of what might happen in future asteroid impacts.
Future Research Directions
Scientists have just begun to study data collected by the recent Silverpit Crater. Their aim is to better understand the occurrences and effects of impact events. The crater’s remarkable preservation provides a rare opportunity to study the effects of these impacts on planetary surfaces.
Professor Collins was struck by how often their findings lined up with what had already been observed. As to what created the crater, he confirmed that the impact hypothesis stands up as the best explanation.
“I always thought that the impact hypothesis was the simplest explanation and most consistent with the observations,” – Professor Gareth Collins
Through ongoing research and collaboration, scientists hope to unlock further mysteries surrounding impact craters and their role in shaping planetary environments.