Impact Related Geology of Silali Basin (Kenya) as an Extra-Terrestrial Impact Crater (ETIC)

Abstract

Certain rocks, rock minerals and rock formations have come to be associated with ETICs (Extra-terrestrial Impact Craters). An extra-terrestrial impact crater is a crater that is formed by an extra-terrestrial impact event whereby a heavenly body (a meteor, comet or asteroid) hits the earth’s surface and creates a crater; before it cools on the earth’s surface as a meteorite or completely gets squashed by thermodynamics of space transit. The crater created can be dry or filled with water and may be a simple crater or a complex one, also denoted as a basin. The objective of this paper is to describe the geology of Silali basin as an Extra-Terrestrial Impact Crater (ETIC), highlight the importance of some of its ETIC rocks and explain the formation of Silali basin resulting from extra-terrestrial impact. Data was collected through field observation, remote sensing, analysis of past geographical and geological studies, interviewing and laboratory analysis. Information has been presented in the form of analyzed satellite images, pictures, tables, and maps. Notably, this is the first study on extra-terrestrial impact cratering (ETIC) in Kenya. Consequently, Silali basin, as an ETIC, and its environs, is a virgin field for further scientific research.