Nanodiamonds in the Younger Dryas boundary sediment layer - PubMed (original) (raw)
Nanodiamonds in the Younger Dryas boundary sediment layer
D J Kennett et al. Science. 2009.
Abstract
We report abundant nanodiamonds in sediments dating to 12.9 +/- 0.1 thousand calendar years before the present at multiple locations across North America. Selected area electron diffraction patterns reveal two diamond allotropes in this boundary layer but not above or below that interval. Cubic diamonds form under high temperature-pressure regimes, and n-diamonds also require extraordinary conditions, well outside the range of Earth's typical surficial processes but common to cosmic impacts. N-diamond concentrations range from approximately 10 to 3700 parts per billion by weight, comparable to amounts found in known impact layers. These diamonds provide strong evidence for Earth's collision with a rare swarm of carbonaceous chondrites or comets at the onset of the Younger Dryas cool interval, producing multiple airbursts and possible surface impacts, with severe repercussions for plants, animals, and humans in North America.
Comment in
- Planetary impacts. Did the mammoth slayer leave a diamond calling card?
Kerr RA. Kerr RA. Science. 2009 Jan 2;323(5910):26. doi: 10.1126/science.323.5910.26. Science. 2009. PMID: 19119192 No abstract available.
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