Remote sensing study of the morphology of a possible impact crater: The Luizi structure, Katanga, Congo Democratic Republic.

Abstract

The 12.6 km-diameter semi-circular annular Luizi Structure occurs on the Kundelungu Plateau of Katanga Province, D. R. Congo, about 110 km NNE of Lubumbashi (Fig. 1). The basin-like structure, at an elevation of about 1300-1386 m, has centripetal internal drainage into the east-flowing Luizi River, a tributary of the larger Luapula
river. This structure has been postulated to be an impact crater. This project will confirm of not this hypothesis by investigating the shape and morphology of the structure using a variety of satellite images. The goal is to search for the characteristic features created when a large meteorites impacts the Earth crust: elevated rim, circular depression and central uplift (Fig. 2). A network of fault should also be present, radiating away from the crater, and may influence the local drainage. The relationships between the Luizi structure and the local tectonic will also be examined, as they may shed light on the age of the impact.

Date of Award	2007
Original language	English
Supervisor	Philippe Claeys (Promotor) & Cheung Wai Chan (Co-promotor)