Tin Bider ( ar, تين بيدر) is an
impact crater
An impact crater is a circular depression in the surface of a solid astronomical object formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller object. In contrast to volcanic craters, which result from explosion or internal collapse, impact craters ...
that sits in dry, rugged terrain in
Algeria
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The crater was formed in the last 70 million years, perhaps in the late Cretaceous or early Tertiary Period.
Spanning 6 kilometres, the crater sits at the southern end of a range of hills.
The elevated position and concentric rings of Tin Bider suggest that its structure is
complex
Complex commonly refers to:
* Complexity, the behaviour of a system whose components interact in multiple ways so possible interactions are difficult to describe
** Complex system, a system composed of many components which may interact with each ...
.
Massive sandstones attributable to the Lower Cretaceous, known throughout the Sahara, are only exposed in the craters centre, about 500 meters above its usual stratigraphic position.
Because of the large prominence of ductile deformation, Tin Bider significantly differs from other craters. While there is yet no conclusive explanation for this unique condition, Tin Bider could provide important information toward a better understanding of large-scale impact cratering.
Tin Bider Crater, Algeria.jpg, Natural-colour satellite image of Tin Bider Crater
Tin-bider overview.png, Schematic map of Tin Bider impact structure
Cross-section of Tin Bider impact structure.png, Cross-section of Tin Bider impact structure
See also
*
List of impact craters in Africa
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Confirmed impact craters
This list of impact craters in Africa includes all 20 confirmed impact craters as listed in the Earth Impact Database. These features were caused by the collision of large meteorites or comets with the Ea ...
References
Further reading
* Koeberl, C., African meteorite impact craters: Characteristics and geological importance. Journal of African Sciences, v. 18, pp. 263–295. 1994
* Lambert, P., McHone, J.F. Jr., Dietz, R.S., Briedj, M. and Djender,M., Impact and impact-like structures in Algeria. Part II, multi-ringed structures. Meteoritics, v. 16, pp. 203–227. 1981
* McHone, J. F. Jr., Lambert, P., Dietz, R.S. and Briedj, M., Impact structures in Algeria (abstract). Meteoritics, v. 15, pp. 331–332. 1980
* Monod, T., Contribution to a list of circular structures of cryptoexplosive meteoric origin (known, possible, or supposed) (in French). Insitiut Francais d'Afrique Noire (I.F.A.N.), Dakar, Catalogues et documents, v. 18, 96 p. 1965
Impact craters of Algeria
Cretaceous impact craters
Late Cretaceous Africa
Geography of Tamanrasset Province
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