Westcliffe and Silver Cliff Meteorite Craters, Further Evidence of Extinction Level Event Options

[ASTROBLEME]

Greetings Everyone,

I am announcing this discovery as a long time contributor to the Colorado Prospector Forum and want to make sure that other members have access to this information. After initiating a research effort in 2005, I have been able to collect substantial evidence to support a double meteorite impact located in Custer County, Colorado. The Westcliffe Crater is the larger structure while the Silver Cliff Crater is smaller and both are named for the towns nearby. All my work has been done independently and at my own cost.

This previously unrecognized double crater structure is paired with my discovery of the Gunnison Crater. All 3 impacts occurred 360 to 375 million years ago. These impact craters are further evidence supporting the Tonko Lineament that recognizes the serial impacts across the United States aligning on the 38th Parallel. The crater chain and associated fish fossil records I have researched indicate a Devonian mass extinction event where 70% of life on our planet was eliminated. Along with hyper-velocity geologic evidence in the target zone, I have also recovered two meteorite types that are in the early process of classification.

Peak Ring Image of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff Craters


Westcliffe Meteorite (photo with light sourced to highlight metal inclusions but chondrules are still visible)



Silver Cliff Meteorite



Sincerely,

Johnny Tonko

[Caveman]

HOLY CRAP!!!! I just looked at this post after being away for awhile... and I LIVE just north of Mitchell Mountain.... the north side of the Westcliffe Crater! You can even see my driveway in the photo. I have lots of interesting grey rock on the property, that looks like cement (MUCH harder, though, it can scratch glass) with what looks like tiny garnets in it.... as Marty Shaw would say on Laugh In.... "Very Interesting....!" I will have to gather a few up and take photos....

[ASTROBLEME]

Hello Caveman,

Here's a photo of a field specimen of Wescliffe Crater impact breccia. If you have collected some material that looks like concrete, test it with dilute hydrochloric acid (sold in hardware stores as muriatic acid). The breccia will show a strong reaction by bubbling and frothing that indicates the rock has carbonate chemistry. Some of the white cement type rocks inside the ring are so reactive that they will bubble in vinegar! What these concrete looking specimens preserve is the crushing and melting of the ocean floor at impact. Fossil meteorite fragments can be found eroding from the breccia deposits.

The ancient meteorite fragments will appear to be black or deep brown in color, leap to a magnet and will be very-very-heavy as compared to other local rocks. It wouldn't surprise me to hear that you find some as your're at a very prospective location.

Good Luck!

HOLY CRAP!!!! I just looked at this post after being away for awhile... and I LIVE just north of Mitchell Mountain.... the north side of the Westcliffe Crater! You can even see my driveway in the photo. I have lots of interesting grey rock on the property, that looks like cement (MUCH harder, though, it can scratch glass) with what looks like tiny garnets in it.... as Marty Shaw would say on Laugh In.... "Very Interesting....!" I will have to gather a few up and take photos....