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Remote sensing analysis for the possible impact structure of Lakhčak Crater in southern Afghanistan

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Abstract

The present study has aimed to detect a possible impact crater in southern Afghanistan based on the remote sensing data. On this basis, a circular structure was detected in southern Afghanistan as a possible impact structure named as Lakhčak crater. Topographical study has indicated the circular-shaped morphology of ∼5 km diameter and ∼800 m depth with the rim and central projections. According to the geological data, the crater has been covered by a circular pattern of granodiorite and granosyenite lithology. Therefore, the geophysical pattern revealed a negative gravity anomaly of about −22 mGal over of the crater, which can be consequence of a possible impact structure. The present research is one of the frontier remotely sensed studies about the possible impact craters in the Middle East, which needs further fieldwork and petrological investigations.

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Acknowledgments

I am very grateful to the USGS web data centers for transmission of remotely sensed data and open-file reports.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Geography and Climatology, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

    Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar

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  1. Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar
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Correspondence to Mohammad Reza Mansouri Daneshvar.

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Mansouri Daneshvar, M. Remote sensing analysis for the possible impact structure of Lakhčak Crater in southern Afghanistan. Appl Geomat 7, 275–282 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-015-0164-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-015-0164-1

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