Geophysical evidence for a large impact structure on the Falkland (Malvinas) Plateau |
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| Authors: | Maximiliano CL Rocca Michael R Rampino Jaime L Báez Presser |
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| Affiliation: | 1. The Planetary Society, Buenos Aires, Argentina;2. Departments of Biology and Environmental Studies, New York University, New York, NY, USA;3. NASA, Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, NY, USA;4. Jaime Presser Exploraciones, Asunción, Paraguay |
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| Abstract: | A large, roughly circular structural basin is recognised on the Falkland (Malvinas) Plateau to the NW of West Falkland (Gran Malvina) Island (S 51°00′, W 62°00′). The basin, seen in seismic‐reflection profiles and evident as a large negative gravity anomaly, has a diameter of ~250 km. The age of the basin is estimated to be Late Palaeozoic. It is completely buried by younger sediments and has no topographic expression on the sea floor. We propose that the basin and geophysical anomalies, especially the combination of a large circular negative gravity anomaly with a rim of positive anomalies, and a marked circular series of positive magnetic anomalies in the same area, may be best explained by the presence of a large buried impact structure. |
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