GMS Field Trip

GMS Field Trip
Meteorite Impact Site in Tennessee
Friday, October 12, 2018

The meteorite impact site in Tennessee is a rare opportunity to see how the force of an impact can affect the local bedrock. The rocks in this area exhibit a "shatter pattern" where minute cracks permeated the stone during the impact. The shatter pattern starts at one point and radiates out, often leaving a 360 degree "cone", aka "shatter cone". The fractal pattern is quite distinct and easily visible in the rocks there.

The first day of the epic trip started with this site. Attendees worked hard to liberate shatter cones from the surrounding dolostone. Everyone collected rocks with the shatter pattern, and some people found some whole shatter cones too.

We are very grateful for the opportunity to collect here and would like to thank all of the people who made this trip possible, including geologists, property owners, and Charles.

Lori Carter
On behalf of Charles Carter, GMS Field Trip Chair
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Click here for more information about the October 2018 epic trip
Click here for the May 2016 epic trip
Click here for the May 2015 trip report
Click here for the March 2014 trip report
Click here for the July 2013 trip report
Click here for the March 2013 trip report