The Mechanics of Pseudotachylite Formation in Impact Events

This paper presents a discussion of the basic constraints controlling the formation of pseudotachylites in the rapidly sheared rocks in the vicinity of a large meteorite impact. The prevailing opinion among many geologists is that pseudotachylites are formed by friction melting of rock. The principal mystery of pseudotachylite formation is not that friction can cause melting, but that it seems to form thick masses of it. Yet such thick masses ought to preclude melting by reducing the friction between sliding rock masses. I propose that one possible solution to this conundrum is that the melt produced by sliding on narrow shear zones is extruded into the adjacent country rock, thus keeping the sliding surfaces narrow.