Geologic Setting of the Impact Site

The Puchezh-Katunki impact crater centered at 56°58′ N, 43°43′ E formed in the central part of East European Platform in a two-layered target. Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic crystalline basement is overlain by a ca. 2000 m thick sedimentary cover. Among basement lithologies, biotite-amphibole-plagioclase gneisses are predominant; subordinate pyroxene-bearing gneisses, high-alumina gneisses, amphibolites, granite gneisses, and minor ultramafics and mafic schists, calciphyre, and quartzite also occur. The platform cover includes carbonate and terrigenous Neoproterozoic, Paleozoic, and Lower Triassic rocks. During the impact, the area was a NW inclined accumulative plain with numerous lagoon and lake basins. The most of the impact structure is buried beneath loose Mesozoic, Neogene, and Quaternary deposits up to 120 m thick.