Definition
A crater that has been partially or completely modified by tectonic process after its formation.
Category
A type of modified crater
Description
Deformed craters typically display anomalous cuts produced by faults or fractures of tectonic and/or volcanic origin.
Interpretation
The degree of deformation varies according to the process causing the deformation and the target region where the crater was formed.
Formation
The morphology of the crater will vary depending upon the deformation process. The deformation of craters appears to be restricted to only a fraction of the rocky and icy bodies such as Venus and Ganymede. Deformed craters are assumed to be originally circular. Any deviation from this shape is assumed to be an indication of modification after formation by some sort of tectonic process. For example, impact craters with an elongated cavity suggest extensional forces, whereas a smaller,...
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References
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Matias, A., Jurdy, D.M. (2015). Deformed Crater (Tectonized). In: Hargitai, H., Kereszturi, Á. (eds) Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3134-3_154
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3134-3_154
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