by Robert Verish

Impact Field Studies Group


A group with the intent to bring together widely-separated researchers doing work at a variety of impact crater locations to share the observations and field experience for the common good of the impact community.

This month I would like to pass along something I found. This "find" wasn't made while searching in the desert. This discovery was made while reading my email! Actually, while I was answering an email question about my abstract on the Elko Crater Field, it was brought to my attention that there is a small but dedicated group of researchers and students that formed an "Impact Field Studies Group". So this month's article is for those of you that are interested in "terrestrial impact structures".

The Impact Field Studies Group (IFSG) mission statement is simple:

The IFSG is dedicated to:

  • (1) facilitating discussion of field-based impact geology

  • (2) gaining additional expertise by facilitating visits to confirmed/suspected impact sites

  • (3) offering field work opportunities to students in planetary science

    On Tuesday, November 25, 2003, Bill Deane (UT), Jonathan Evenick (UT), Pascal Lee (NASA-Ames), Keith Milam (UT), Gordon Osinski (U. of AZ), and Livio Tornabene (UT), met at the University of Tennessee to form the Impact Field Studies Group (IFSG). The overall intent in forming IFSG is to bring together widely-separated researchers doing work at a variety of impact crater locations to share the observations and field experience for the common good of the impact community.

    Since The Impact Field Studies Group was formed in 2003, the existence of this group may not be "news" to everyone, but because this group is open to accepting new members, this article is a way of spreading the "news" to those who may be interested in joining. Membership is open to students, faculty, and researchers interested in or who are actively conducting field-based research. It was decided that we would start out small and bring on new members every year as interest grows. By joining IFSG, you agree to attempt to meet once a year at a group-sponsored event to present your own research and share your experiences with other workers. For more information on becoming a member, please contact Keith Milam at: kmilam@utk.edu.

    Another interesting aspect of this group is that they accept reports and updates of Suspected Earth Impact Sites (SEIS).
    This web site has a link to a massive data base of 543 suspected Earth impact craters compiled by IFSG member David Rajmon.

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    Below are some of the images that appear on the IFSG web site:

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    Not to be missed on the IFSG web site is a link to the current version of their newsletter - for example, A target="_blank" HREF=http://web.eps.utk.edu/~faculty/ifsg_files/newsletter/Winter_2005.pdf>Vol.2 - Winter, 2005 (PDF) has an excellent pictortial article on shattercones:
    The Winter 2005 issue of Impacts in the Field
    is now available online

    The IFSG web site also gives access to an archive of PREVIOUS newsletters (i.e., Vol.1) by way of the following links:
    Vol.1 - Fall, 2004 (PDF)
    Vol.1 - Summer, 2004 (PDF)
    Vol.1 - Spring, 2004 (PDF)
    Vol.1 - Winter, 2004 (PDF)

    The above articles were originally published on-line with a link on the IFSG web page

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    Below are some more or the images that appear on the IFSG web site:

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    Gatherings of the IFSG - along with their Annual Meetings, the IFSG conduct Field Trips to various impact structures.
    Their web site has links to image galleries of their previous Field Trips:
    Marquez Field Trip, 2004
    Serpent Mound Field Trip, 2004
    Brazos River KT BoundaryField Trip, 2004

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    Below are some more or the images that appear on the IFSG web site:

    Impact Field
    Studies Group

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    Hopefully, this review will have given the reader a better idea of what is, and who are, the Impact Field Studies Group.

    REFERENCES:

    The following "references" are LINKS to:

  • Earth Impact Database

  • Related web sites

    The following "references" are of those authors whose data was used in the:

  • SEIS database

    Google Earth: Suspected Earth Impact Sites (KML) | Article ...

    www.thinklemon.com/weblog/2006/01/31/google-earth-suspected-ear... - Similar to Google Earth: Suspected Earth Impact Sites (KML) | Article ...

    Jan 31, 2006 ... A while ago I found the Impact Field Studies Group: ... may notice a few scattered in mid-ocean, just click the icon to find out where it should belong. .... craters or other place where I might post, and so am writing this here. Bob ...

    My previous articles can be found *HERE*

    For for more information, please contact me by email: Bolide*chaser