This volume synthesizes 16 years of geological and geophysical studies that document an 85-km-wide impact crater buried 500 m beneath Chesapeake Bay in southeastern Virginia, USA. The authors integrate extensive seismic reflection profiling and deep core drilling to analyze the structure, morphology, gravimetrics, sedimentology, petrology, geochemistry, and paleontology of this submarine structure. Of special interest are a detailed comparison with other terrestrial and extraterrestrial craters, plus a conceptual model and computer simulation of the impact. The extensive illustrations include more than 150 line drawings and core photographs.

The authors have synthesized 16 years of geological and geophysical studies which document an 85-km-wide impact crater buried 500 m beneath Chesapeake Bay in south eastern Virginia, USA. In doing so, they have integrated extensive seismic reflection profiling and deep core drilling to analyze the structure, morphology, gravimetrics, sedimentology, petrology, geochemistry, and paleontology of this submarine structure. Of special interest are a detailed comparison with other terrestrial and extraterrestrial craters, as well as a conceptual model and computer simulation of the impact. The extensive illustrations encompass more than 150 line drawings and core photographs.

Geological Framework of Impact Site.- Geophysical Framework of Impact Site.- The Primary Crater.- Secondary Craters.- Synimpact Crater-Fill Deposits.- Initial Postimpact Deposits.- Age of Chesapeake Bay Impact Crater.- Geological Consequences of Chesapeake Bay Impact.- Comparisons with Other Impact Craters.- Comparisons between Impactities.- Implications for Impact Models.- Biospheric Effects of Chesapeake Bay Impact.- Residual Effects of Chesapeake Bay Impact.- Summary and Conclusions.- Appendix.- References.- Index