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Morphology and Scaling of Impact Craters in Granular Media

Amanda M. Walsh, Kristi E. Holloway, Piotr Habdas, and John R. de Bruyn
Phys. Rev. Lett. 91, 104301 – Published 4 September 2003
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Abstract

We present the results of experiments on impact craters formed by dropping a steel ball vertically into a container of small glass beads. As the energy of impact increases, we observe a progression of crater morphologies analogous to that seen in craters on the moon. We find that both the diameter and the depth of the craters are proportional to the 1/4 power of the energy. The ratio of crater diameter to rim-to-floor depth is constant for low-energy impacts, but increases at higher energy, similar to what is observed for lunar craters.

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  • Received 17 February 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.104301

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Amanda M. Walsh1, Kristi E. Holloway1, Piotr Habdas2, and John R. de Bruyn1

  • 1Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 3X7
  • 2Department of Physics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322-2430, USA

See Also

Craters in a Sandbox

Kim Krieger
Phys. Rev. Focus 12, 8 (2003)

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Issue

Vol. 91, Iss. 10 — 5 September 2003

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