Generation of fragment-rich pseudotachylite bodies during central uplift formation in the Vredefort impact structure, South Africa

Target rocks underlying the central portions of large terrestrial impact structures are characterized by the pervasive presence of fragment-rich pseudotachylite bodies. Debates regarding the formation of these bodies include the origin of pseudotachylitic melts, i.e., friction- versus shock-induced melting, melt mobility, causes of target rock fragmentation, and timing of fragmentation and melt emplacement with respect to stages of cratering. …