Laboratory experiments on crater scaling-law for sedimentary rocks in the strength regime

Abstract

We systematically conducted impact cratering experiments with sedimentary rocks at 0.8-7.1km/s using various projectiles with 1.1-15g/cm3 in density. The crater diameter, depth, and volume are investigated and compared with the results for igneous rocks. Then, using the non-dimensional parameters, the normalized crater diameter D, the normalized depth d, the normalized volume V, the target strength per specific energy 3, and the target and projectile density ratio 4, the scaling laws, D = (1.43 0.25)3-0.220.0240.110.07, d = (0.22 0.04)3-0.250.0240.010.05, and V = (0.11 0.04) 3-0.710.0540.230.17, are obtained. The comparison with the results of igneous rocks suggests that the characteristic properties of sedimentary rocks such as the lower strength and the strong shock wave attenuation rate are actually effective for the cratering of sedimentary rocks. © 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.