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We now know that meteorite impacts are a major earth-modifying
process, but there is still much to be learned about these remarkable
craters. Continued study will provide more insight to the geologic
history of Earth's bombardment by meteorites, comets and asteroids,
as well as advance our understanding of how cratering affects
the Earth today.
When studying craters and crater formation, scientists and geologists
not only study the structure and geologic makeup of these impact
sites, they also try to understand everything that took place
as the crater developed. One common calculation used by scientists
and geoogists involves the analysis of the distance that debris
was thrown from the crater. A small fraction of the materials
actually escape the Earth’s gravitational field. To calculate
the distance material is ejected from the crater, with relation
to the angle it is being ejected and the velocity at which it
is being ejected, scientists use the Ballistic Range-Velocity
Formula.
The Ballistic Range-Velocity Formula is shown at right. >>
Rb - Ballistic range
Rp - Radius of the Earth
g - Acceleration due to the Earth’s gravity
Ø - Ejection angle
Ve - Ejection velocity
More about this equation can be found in Impact Cratering: A Geologic Process by H. J. Melosh.
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