Detection of 200 km Suspected Impact Crater Kotuykanskaya Near Popigai Siberia, by New Gravity Aspects from EIGEN 6C4, and Magnetic Data from EMAG2
Abstract
The objective of this study is to use recently available high-resolution gravity aspects (descriptors) derived from the global Earth's gravity field model EIGEN 6C4 with the ground resolution of about 9 km, to provide an independent assessment of the existence of a suspected Kotuykanskaya impact crater(s) near the impact crater Popigai in Russia. It would be one of the largest impact craters on the Earth - with a diameter of ~200 km, about twice as large as Popigai, so it is worthy to study it when we have available new gravity data and a new methodology.
Nevertheless, we have no geological data available, so we cannot provide any final decision. For the given locality our aim is to apply the new available gravity aspects (EIGEN 6C4), magnetic anomalies (EMAG v. 2) and topography (ETOPO 1).
While there is no direct evidence of shock in terms of shatter cones, planar deformation features, high pressure minerals, etc., we provide evidence in terms of new gravity and magnetic data and new methodology that at least Kotuykanskaya II, the suspected impact structure near Popigai, Siberia, is likely created by impact process. Kotuykanskaya would be one of the largest impact craters on the Earth - with a diameter about 200 km.