Geochemical signals of the late Jurassic, marine Mjolnir impact

Of the only seven submarine impact craters that have been found globally, the Mjolnir crater is one of the best preserved and retains crater and ejecta. Geochemical studies (organic pyrolysis using the Rock Eval technique and XRF analysis for major, minor, and trace elements) of the Institute for Petroleum Research (IKU) core 7430/10-U-01 that was taken from a drillhole located similar to 30 km north-northeast of the crater rim show gradual establishment of anoxic sea floor conditions through the late Jurassic. These poorly ventilated water conditions were overturned due to the Mjolnir impact event. Waves and currents transported impact glass (which is now partly weathered to smectite) into the depositional area where the drillhole is located. The succeeding crater collapse transported impact material (e.g., shocked quartz and Ir) from the crater rim and deeper levels to the core site. Normal marine depositional conditions were established a short time after the crater collapsed.