Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Ash Shutbah: A possible impact structure in Saudi Arabia

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Gnos, E.
    Hofmann, B.
    Schmieder, Martin
    Al-Wagdani, K.
    Mahjoub, A.
    Al-Solami, A.
    Habibullah, S.
    Matter, A.
    Alwmark, C.
    Date
    2014
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Gnos, E. and Hofmann, B. and Schmieder, M. and Al-Wagdani, K. and Mahjoub, A. and Al-Solami, A. and Habibullah, S. et al. 2014. Ash Shutbah: A possible impact structure in Saudi Arabia. Meteoritics and Planetary Science. 49 (10): pp. 1902-1914.
    Source Title
    Meteoritics and Planetary Science
    DOI
    10.1111/maps.12369
    ISSN
    1086-9379
    School
    Department of Applied Geology
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16619
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    We have investigated the Ash Shutbah circular structure in central Saudi Arabia (21°37′N 45°39′E) using satellite imagery, field mapping, thin-section petrography, and X-ray diffraction of collected samples. The approximately 2.1 km sized structure located in flat-lying Jurassic Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone has been nearly peneplained by erosional processes. Satellite and structural data show a central area consisting of Dhruma Formation sandstones with steep bedding and tight folds plunging radially outward. Open folding occurs in displaced, younger Tuwaiq Mountain Limestone Formation blocks surrounding the central area, but is absent outside the circular structure. An approximately 60 cm thick, unique folded and disrupted orthoquartzitic sandstone marker bed occurring in the central area of the structure is found 140 m deeper in undisturbed escarpment outcrops located a few hundred meters west of the structure. With exception of a possible concave shatter cone found in the orthoquartzite of the central area, other diagnostic shock features are lacking. Some quartz-rich sandstones from the central area show pervasive fracturing of quartz grains with common concussion fractures. This deformation was followed by an event of quartz dissolution and calcite precipitation consistent with local sea- or groundwater heating. The combination of central stratigraphic uplift of 140 m, concussion features in discolored sandstone, outward-dipping concentric folds in the central area, deformation restricted to the rocks of the ring structure, a complex circular structure of 2.1 km diameter that appears broadly consistent with what one would expect from an impact structure in sedimentary targets, and a possible shatter cone all point to an impact origin of the Ash Shutbah structure. In fact, the Ash Shutbah structure appears to be a textbook example of an eroded, complex impact crater located in flat-lying sedimentary rocks, where the undisturbed stratigraphic section can be studied in escarpment outcrops in the vicinity of the structure.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Relationship between detrital zircon age-spectra and the tectonic evolution of the Late Archaean Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa
      Kositcin, N.; Krapez, Bryan (2004)
      SHRIMP U–Pb detrital zircon age-spectra for 14 samples from the West Rand and Central Rand Groups of the Witwatersrand Basin indicate that felsic source rocks mostly formed at ~3090–3060 and ~3000–2870 Ma, with a smaller ...
    • Deepwater fold and thrust belt classification, tectonics, structure and hydrocarbon prospectivity: A review
      Morley, C.; King, R.; Hillis, R.; Tingay, Mark; Backe, G. (2011)
      Deepwater fold and thrust belts (DWFTBs) are classified into near-field stress-driven Type 1 systems confined to the sedimentary section, and Type 2 systems deformed by either far-field stresses alone, or mixed near- and ...
    • GRACE-derived groundwater changes over Greater Horn of Africa: Temporal variability and the potential for irrigated agriculture
      Agutu, N.O.; Awange, Joseph ; Ndehedehe, C.; Kirimi, F.; Kuhn, Michael (2019)
      Greater Horn of Africa (GHA) is projected to face negative impacts on per capita food production due to dwindling nature of water resources forced by climate change and rising population growth. The region has limited ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.