Polygonal Crater
Reference work entry
First Online:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3134-3_275
Definition
An impact crater having a polygonal rim shape in plan view.
Synonyms
Polygonal impact crater, angular crater (rare)
Description
A polygonal crater is an impact crater which in plan view is not circular, elliptical, or irregular, but more closely resembles a regular polygon with straight rim segments and clearly discernible angles between them. Typically only a part of the rim circumference is formed by straight segments. However, no rigorous definition of a polygonal crater exists.
Morphometry
Any size polygonal craters, up to
basins, can be found (Kopal
1966; Öhman
2009, Singer and McKinnon
2011), but the majority are found slightly above (1–5×) the transition diameter from
simple to
complex craters (Pohn and Offield
1970; Öhman
2009). Most often polygonal craters display a partial hexagonal (six-sided) form, often with two to four distinctly straight rim segments (Fig.
1). Polygonal craters may be roughly square-shaped (e.g., Meteor Crater in Arizona) (Kumar and Kring
2008...
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References
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