Further geochronological constraints on the Xiuyan impact crater in northeast China

Abstract

The Xiuyan impact crater is the only officially recognized impact crater in China, and its formation time remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the ages of Xiuyan impact crater lake sediments from a 99-m composite borehole using luminescence and radiocarbon dating. The results showed that all the radiocarbon ages were saturated and that the surface sediments in the crater lake were dated to ~331–334 ka. Furthermore, the luminescence ages of lake sediments at depths below approximately 37 m also appear to be saturated. The evolutionary history of the Xiuyan impact crater lake was reconstructed by incorporating sedimentological, geomorphological, and geochronological analyses. Based on the age-depth model results of luminescence ages above a depth of 37 m, it is suggested that the crater lake underwent several stages: initial formation at approximately 1201 ± 133 ka, subsequent filling with water and sediment, overflow, and eventual disappearance at ~331–334 ka.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Xiuyan impact crater / luminescence dating / age saturation / impact age / northeast China

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