Comprehensive Geophysical Study at Wabar Crater, Rub Al-Khali Desert, Saudi Arabia

Interest in impact craters on the earth's surface has increased worldwide and is being investigated by using remote sensing, geological, boreholes, geophysical, and laboratory measurements. These measurements are used to build dynamic models to study crater formation. In this work, the near-crater sediments at the young Wabar crater field in Saudi Arabia have been investigated using magnetic, transient electromagnetic (TEM), seismic, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methods. The main objectives of this research were to (a) explore the possibility of any remnant major pieces of the meteorite, (b) investigate the meteoroid direction, and (c) map the deformational structures associated with the meteorite impact. Our results show five different magnetic anomaly types and three layers in the subsurface. The maximum depth of deformation due to the impact of the meteorite is about 25 m as shown by the seismic travel time tomogram, the quasi-2D TEM, and the 3D GPR model. TEM survey confirmed the geometrical characteristics of the major crater and located another small crater (known as Philby-A). The magnetic survey shows no evidence of any remnant major pieces of the meteorite; however, it was used to trace ejecta material containing highly dilute magnetic material. The magnetic carrier is most likely spheres of metal incorporated in the black/green glasses. During the expedition, many small pieces of the meteoroid were found and collected for further geochemical analysis. Based on the geophysical findings, the meteorite direction was found to be from north to south. Plain Language Summary In this study, we used magnetic, transient electromagnetic, seismic, and ground-penetrating radar methods to explore the subsurface at the Wabar meteoroid impact site. This site is located in the Empty Quarter (Rub Al-Khali) area, southeast of Saudi Arabia, where a large piece of the meteoroid was found and moved to the British Museum in the 1930s. The geophysical data were processed and interpreted to create a subsurface model of the impact crater and its surroundings to (a) investigate the possibility of finding any remnant major pieces of the meteorite at the crater site, (b) investigate the meteorite direction, and (c) map the deformational structures associated with meteorite impacts at the Wabar site.

Automated summary

Research on impact craters on Earth's surface has increased globally, with investigation methods such as remote sensing, geological studies, boreholes, geophysical surveys, and laboratory measurements being used to build dynamic models of crater formation. This study focused on investigating near-crater sediments at the Wabar crater field in Saudi Arabia using magnetic, transient electromagnetic, seismic, and ground-penetrating radar methods to explore meteorite remnants, meteoroid direction, and deformational structures associated with meteorite impacts. The geophysical findings suggested that the meteorite direction was from north to south, with no evidence of major meteorite pieces found at the site.