Dynamics of collapse of an impact central uplift: Evidence from folds and faults in the collar of the Vredefort Dome, South Africa

Research at the Vredefort Dome, South Africa, reveals complex structural dynamics during the collapse of an impact central uplift. The study identifies tangential folds and faults in the dome's collar, indicating a multistage strain evolution linked to both initial convergent flow and later divergent collapse. These features suggest that centripetally directed collapse via layer-parallel shearing and folding, followed by faulting, played a significant role in shaping the dome's structure. The findings highlight the importance of understanding such processes in very large central uplifts, providing new insights into the geological evolution of impact craters.

Manzi*, S., Gibson, R. L., & Tshibubudze, A. (2021). Dynamics of collapse of an impact central uplift: Evidence from folds and faults in the collar of the Vredefort Dome, South Africa. Large Meteorite Impacts and Planetary Evolution VI, 585–606. https://doi.org/10.1130/2021.2550(27)