Astrogeology in Ohio

Ohio’s geologic history is remarkable for many earth-bound events, including volcanic eruptions, glaciation, earthquakes, and the profound effects of surface weathering and erosion. But our state also has been shaped by cosmic forces—namely meteorite impacts, both small and large. Such events are reflected by Ohio's geology but they also teach us much about the materials and processes that compose and shape other bodies in our solar system. The study of these bodies and materials from space and their geologic processes is called astrogeology. Specialties within astrogeology include the study of meteorites (called meteoritics) and planetary geology.

Astrogeology applies the principles of geology, geochemistry, and geophysics to matter in our solar system. The lessons learned can be applied to meteorites and tektites; items brought back to Earth, such as lunar samples; and the effects of meteorite impacts, gravitational effects of the tides, and solar and cosmic radiation. In Ohio, astrogeological research includes planetary geologic and meteoritics investigations at many academic institutions. Astrogeology work by the Ohio Geological Survey includes interpretations of the Serpent Mound impact structure and identifying meteorites.

Meteorites in Ohio

Meteorites range in size from dust-sized particles to large masses and are fragments of asteroids or comets that are made of the materials from which Earth is made. Thus scientists analyze their chemical and mineralogical properties for clues as to how Earth and other bodies in our solar system formed. Meteorites generally fall into one of three classes: (1) stony meteorites, which are rich in silicates; (2) iron meteorites, which are enriched with native iron; and (3) stony-iron meteorites, which are mixtures of the other two. Ohio has 14 confirmed meteorites discovered in the state.

A found meteorite is identified as either a fall or a find. A meteorite identified as a fall means that the specimen was observed falling through the atmosphere just prior to being discovered. A find is simply a meteorite that was found at some point in time after landing and whose descent through Earth's atmosphere was (presumably) not observed.

Although none have been found in Ohio, very rarely meteorites that originated from the Moon or from Mars can be found on Earth, because some early impacts were so enormous that they threw chunks of planetary materials into space that eventually found their way to Earth. However, unlike Earth—where plate tectonics recycle the crust and surface weathering and erosion destroy craters over time—the faces of Mars and the Moon have retained many scars of these giant ancient impacts. The study of meteorites and these meteor-cratered planets and other extraterrestrial bodies reveals much about what very early Earth was like.

Locations of Meteorite Finds in Ohio Click map for larger interactive version with impact information. Download Ohio meteorite list here [84 KB PDF]

Ohio Meteorites

Name	County	Date	Weight (kg)	Class	Photo
Anderson (Turner Mounds)	Hamilton	prehistoric	0.85	stony-iron
Cincinnati	Hamilton	1870	1–2	iron
Dayton	Montgomery	1892	26.3	iron
Enon	Clark	ca. 1883	0.76	stony-iron
Fairfield	Butler	1974	1.6	iron
Gahanna	Franklin	1950	1.2	iron
Hopewell Mounds	Ross	prehistoric	0.130	stony-iron
Kossuth	Auglaize	1975	5.9	iron
New Concord	Muskingum/ Guernsey	1860	227	stony
New Westville	Preble	1941	4.8	iron
Powellsville	Scioto	1990	4.31	stony
Pricetown	Highland	1893	0.9	stony
Tarlton	Fairfield	1967	.227	stony
Wooster	Wayne	1858	22.5	iron

The Serpent Mound Impact Site

The Serpent Mound Impact Crater, located in the Adams-Highland-Pike tri-county area in southern Ohio, is a rarity in the United States, as it is one of only 28 known impact craters in the country. The impact occurred between 256 and 330 million years ago and is named after a prehistoric Native American effigy mound shaped like a snake that is found in the southwest portion of the impact crater.

For decades the nature of the Serpent Mound impact site was disputed, owing to its geologic complexity. The site previously has been interpreted as a "sunken mountain" and later as the site of an ancient volcanic eruption. However, technological advancements have aided recent geologic studies in determining its origin as an impact site.  

Further Reading

Meteorites

Ohio Meteorites—Ohio Geology, Summer 1983 [PDF]

Fireballs in Southwestern Ohio—Ohio Geology, Winter 1984 [PDF]

Fireballs Seen in Ohio—Ohio Geology, Winter 1989 [PDF]

Ancient Meteorites—Ohio Geology, Spring 1997 [PDF]

Bulletin 69: Minerals of Ohio

Serpent Mound

Serpent Mound Cryptoexplosion Structure Declared National Natural Landmark—Ohio Geology, Summer 1981 [PDF]

Return to Sunken Mountain: The Serpent Mound Cryptoexplosion Structure—Ohio Geology, Winter 1994 [PDF]

August F. Foerste: The First Geologist to Map the Serpent Mound Disturbance—Ohio Geology, 2003, No. 2 [PDF]

Report of Investigations 146: Subsurface Geology of the Serpent Mound Disturbance, Adams, Highland, and Pike counties, Ohio

Open-File Report 2002-1: August F. Foerste's Unpublished Field Notes for the Area of the Serpent Mound Disturbance [PDF]

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