APPLICATION OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY TO THE INVESTIGATION OF SHOCKED ROCK AND ASSOCIATED LICHEN FROM THE HAUGHTON CRATER.

• Main Authors: C. D. Moody, H. G. M. Edwards, C. Cockell, P. Lee
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Haughton Crater; shocked rock; biomarkers; Arctic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.610.8892

Abstract: This contribution reports on the applications of Raman spectroscopy to the analysis of lichen and cyanobacteria found growing on shocked rock. The Haughton Crater in the High Arctic was formed by a meteorite impact 23 million years ago. The resulting impact affected everything in the surrounding area, including the ground rock and life living nearby [1]. All life was wiped out and shockwaves went through the ground. The shockwaves left the rock with an increase in size and number of pores (shocked rock). The translucency of the rock also increased [2]. Craters are interesting for studying with regards to the emergence of life [1] and also as many of the other planets in the Solar System are also heavily cratered, they have implications for exobiology. Pans-permia is one consideration, as any life that survived the journey through the vacuum of space and then through Earth’s atmosphere could grow and thrive on Earth. Water can also be brought to Earth by large meteorites or comets. This water could help support the reestablishment of microorganisms. The resulting impact may heat local groundwater [1], creating a warm, wet environment for bacterial life to develop. Mars is a planet that has an abundance of craters and many of these are known to have had lakes in them [3]. These craters will have characteristics similar to the few that have been located on Earth. This makes Haughton Crater a very good analogue to examine with regards to exobiology.