You are an astro-geologist that lands on a strange planet where both volcanic activity and...?

Question

You are an astro-geologist that lands on a strange planet where both volcanic activity and crater formation have happened. How would you decide if a specific crater was caused by a volcano or a meteor?

Answer 1

Impact crater characteristics to look for:
Shocked minerals
overturned bedding in ejecta blanket
circular shape (nearly always)
low rim relief over surrounding areas
bottom of crater lower than surrounding plain

Volcanic crater characteristics:
looks like a mountain (high rim relief)
volcanic materials present
does not have to be circular
often multiple craters within caldera
bottom of crater higher than surrounding plane
no shocked minerals

Answer 2

By profession, an astro-geologist or rather a geologist should be able to discern the difference between volcanic ash/volcanic lava and meteorite fragments.
Furthermore, meteorite fragments could be composed on elements not found on the planet in question (and this is another factor in consideration).
However, craters can be formed by other causes, such as movements of underlying plates, or dried up body of water, if it existed in the past.

Answer 3

Hi. An impact crater has a much different shape than a volcanic one. The impact tends to stay low to the ground whereas a volcanic one tends to build up.

Answer 4

Volcanic rocks vs. no volcanic rocks.

You see volcanic rocks, then it's most likely a volcano. If there are none, it's most likely a crater.

Answer 5

If i am in an astro-geologist that lands on a strange planet, i won't think toomuch about volcanic activitys.

Answer 6

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