Understanding the Role of Small-Scale Shockphysics in Large-Scale Cratering on Planetary Surfaces

Planetary surfaces are characterized by craters resulting from hypervelocity impacts of cosmic bodies, underscoring the significance of these processes in the evolution of the planetary system. Such high-velocity collisions inherently generate shock waves that propagate through the subsurface causing distinctive diagnostic effects in rocks and mineral phases. This presentation explores how the micro- and meso-scale characteristics of rocks influence crater formation on planetary surfaces, as well as the collisions of planetesimals and planetary embryos. We will showcase examples from laboratory experiments, numerical modelling, and microanalytical studies to illustrate these dynamics.