Computational Simulation of the Dynamics of Craters Formed by Asteroid Collisions with Land

Abstract

TheThe process of an asteroid impacting the land is a complex non-linear dynamic process，which is difficult to study by using model tests. Numerical simulation provides an important tool for the analysis of this process. In this study，the large-scale numerical simulation of the dynamic process of the asteroid impacting land was realized initially by using the self-developed software CoSim-DEM based on the discrete element method (DEM). Based on the numerical simulation results，the four stages of the impact process—initial contact，impact excavation, high-speed ejection and adjustment—were simulated；the incidence angle and the dynamic behaviors of the asteroid during the impact process would affect the topographic characteristics of the crater. This study also indicates that large-scale numerical methods can be used to perform the analysis of dynamic process of the asteroid impacting the earth, and provide support for asteroid defense.

Keywords

asteroid / impact crater / discrete element method (DEM) / numerical simulation

References

[1] OSINSKI G R，GRIEVE R A F，FERRIERE L，et al. Impact Earth：a review of the terrestrial impact record[J]. Earth-Science Reviews，2022，232：104112.
[2] BUILDREPS M. The younger dryas impact hypothesis[EB/OL]. [2023-05-06]. https：//www.mariobuildreps.com/younger-dryas-impact-hypothesis/.
[3] VON FRESE R R B，POTTS L V，WELLS S B，et al. GRACE gravity evidence for an impact basin in Wilkes Land，Antarctica[J]. Geochemistry，Geophysics，Geosystems，2009，10（2）：02014.
[4] 陈鸣. 岫岩陨石坑：撞击起源的证据[J]. 科学通报，2007，52：2777-2780.
CHEN M. Xiuyan impact crater：evidence of the impact origin[J]. Chinese Science Bulletin，2007，52：2777-2780.
[5] 陈鸣，谢先德，肖万生，等. 依兰陨石坑：中国东北部一个新发现的撞击构造[J]. 科学通报，2020，65（10）：948-954.
CHEN M，XIE X D，XIAO W S，et al. Yilan impact crater：a newly discovered impact crater in northeastern China[J]. Chinese Science Bulletin，2020，65（10）：948-954.
[6] MAZROUEI S，GHENTR R，BOTTKEW F，et al. Earth and Moon impact flux increased at the end of the Paleozoic[J]. Science，2019，363（6424）：253-257.
[7] ARTEMIEVA N A，SHUVALOV V V. From Tunguska to Chelyabinsk via Jupiter[J]. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences，2016，44（1）：37-56.
[8] 刘芹芹，申旭辉，周炳红，等. 近地小行星撞遇地球灾害链效应[J]. 空间碎片研究，2022，22（1）：1-17.
LIU Q Q，SHEN X H，ZHOU B H，et al. Disaster chain effects from near-Earth asteroids collision with Earth surface[J]. Space Debris Research，2022，22（1）：1-17.
[9] EZZEDINE S M，LOMOV I，MILLER P L，et al. Simulation of asteroid impact on ocean surfaces，subsequent wave generation and the effect on US shorelines[J]. Procedia Engineering，2015，103：113-120.
[10] NEILL C O ，MARCHI S ，ZHANG S ，et al. Impact-driven subduction on the Hadean Earth[J]. Nature Geoscience，2017，10：793-797.
[11] COLLINS G S，PATEL N，DAVISON T M，et al. A steeply-inclined trajectory for the Chicxulub impact[J]. Nature Communications，2020，11：1480.
[12] YANG D X. Numerical modeling of laboratory-scale asteroid impact based on elastoplastic flow model and CESE method[J]. AIP Advances，2021，11：125024.
[13] 黄川，傅容珊. 小行星撞击对地球的上地幔对流的影响[J]. 地球物理学报，2014，57（5）：1534-1542.
HUANG C，FU R S. Perturbations of Earth’s upper mantle convection caused by asteroid impacts[J]. Chinese Journal of Geophysics，2014，57（5）：1534-1542.
[14] CUNDALL P A，STRACK O D. A discrete numerical model for granular assemblies[J]. Géotechnique，1979，29（1）：47-65.
[15] ZHOU Q，XU W，LIU G. A contact detection algorithm for triangle boundary in GPU-based DEM and its application in a large-scale landslide[J]. Computers and Geotechnics，2021，138：104371.
[16] LIU G，XU W，GOVENDER N，et al. A cohesive fracture model for discrete element method based on polyhedral blocks[J]. Powder Technology，2020，359：190-204.
[17] POPOVA O，BOROVIČKA J，HARTMANN W K，et al. Very low strengths of interplanetary meteoroids and small asteroids[J]. Meteoritics & Planetary Science，2011，46（10）：1525-1550.