Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al.

Title: Tunguska cosmic body of 1908: is it from planet Mars?

Authors: John Anfinogenov,1 Larisa Budaeva,2 Dmitry Ku netsov,! and "ana Anfinogenova2,#$ Affiliations:
1

%unguss&y 'ature (eserve, Ministry of 'atura) (esources and *co)ogy of the (ussian +ederation.
2

'ationa) (esearch %oms& ,tate -niversity, Ministry of *ducation and ,cience of the (ussian +ederation
!

'ationa) (esearch %oms& .o)ytechnic -niversity, Ministry of *ducation and ,cience of the (ussian +ederation
#

%oms& -niversity of /ontro) ,ystems and (adioe)ectronics, Ministry of *ducation and ,cience of the (ussian +ederation $/orresponding author: Dr. "ana Anfinogenova. Address: %-,-(, +0%, #1 Lenina .rospect, %oms&, 2!#131, (ussia. %e): 456163!61221. *7mai): anfiy89gmai).com

A:stract ;ord count: 2#6 'um:er of (eferences: 25 'um:er of %a:)es: 1 'um:er of +igures: 3

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. 2

Abstract: %he aim of the study ;as to discover remnants of the 161< %ungus&a meteorite. Main o:8ective of the fie)d studies ;as identification of e=otic roc&s, furro;s, and penetration funne)s reported :y the first eye;itnesses, residents of the area ;ith severe forest destruction. Main methods inc)uded decoding of aeria) survey photographs, systematic survey of the epicenter area of the %ungus&a e=p)osion, e=p)oratory e=cavations of the o:8ects of interest, reconstruction studies of e=otic :ou)der :y using its sp)inters, minera)ogica) and spectra) ana)ysis of specimens, e=perimenta) attempt of p)asma7induced reproduction of the fusion crust on specimen. %he authors present resu)ts on discovery of penetration funne)7)i&e structures> e=otic :ou)der ?&no;n as John@s ,toneAA ;ith its shear7fractured sp)inters and fresh furro; in the permafrost> severa) sp)inters ;ith g)assy coatings> evidence of high7speed John@s ,tone dece)eration in the permafrost> and c)ear consistency in geometry of spacia) arrangements of a)) sp)inters, furro;s, c)eaved pe::)es according to data of reconstruction studies. John@s ,tone is composed of high)y si)icified grave)ite sandstone ?6<.3B ,iC2A ;ith grain si e of 1.3 to 1.3 cm. Cuter surface of severa) sp)inters sho;ed continuous g)assy coating simi)ar to shiny fusion crust reminiscent of fresh)y app)ied ename). .)asma7induced heating of John@s ,tone specimen )ed to its e=p)osive disintegration> residue presented ;ith ;hitish semi7transparent pumice7)i&e grains and irregu)ar)y shaped fused partic)es. Cvera)), our data suggest that John@s ,tone is %ungus&a meteorite candidate. (ecent discoveries of sedimentary roc&s, )ithified grave)ite sandstone, c)ay, and Duart on Mars provide rationa)e for search and identification of si)ica7rich Martian meteorites of sedimentary origin. Key words: %ungus&a event of 161<, John@s ,tone, Martian meteorite, metamorphic sedimentary roc&, Duart

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. !

Introduction: 0n history of %ungus&a catastrophe ?June !1, 161<A studies, there is an enigmatic chapter a:out a search for stones, ;hich, according to eye;itnessesE reports, appeared after the catastrophe ?Fasi)iev et a). 16<1A. *ye;itnesses reported a:out the stone, ;hich )oo&ed )i&e a couchant anima) ?GDeer ,toneHA and appeared Gfrom no;hereH amidst the catastrophe forest far from any roc& outcroppings after the %ungus&a catastrophe. %ungus ?*ven&isA ;hose name ;as Daunov sa; :ig shiny stone of tin co)or. Fita)iy Foronov reported a:out stone of gray co)or ;ith sharp edges, ;hich his grandmother &ept in her coffer: the ;oman stated that the stone ;as removed from a tree trun& after the catastrophe of 161<. 'astya D hon&ou) testified a:out seeing a roc& fa))ing from the s&y: GA :ig stone, as :ig as a deers&in tent, 8umped a:out the ground t;ice or trice and then s;amped in the :ogH ?,us)ov 1625A. ,evera) )oca) *ven&is reported a:out fresh furro;s in the epicenter ;ith stones in the furro; ;a))s. According to their reports, those stones )oo&ed )i&e GDuart crysta)sH. +or )ong time, attempts to find those stones ;ere unsuccessfu). Io;ever, it ;ou)d :e unreasona:)e to disregard *ven&isE reports :ecause severa) )arge geo)ogica) structures such as craters and furro;s mentioned :y *ven&is have :een indeed found )ater. 0n 16!1, /onstantine "an&ovs&y found and photographed a strange stone ?G"an&ovs&y@s ,toneHA in the epicentra) area. %he stone )oo&ed )i&e a stony meteorite ;ith regmag)ypts. Io;ever, the very that day, "an&ovs&y ;as :itten :y viper and had to ta&e care of himse)f to survive> the stone ;as )ost. %he dimensions of "an&ovs&y@s stone ;ere over 2 = 1 = 1 m. Many specu)ations have :een suggested for the origin of %ungus&a meteorite though it appears that the %ungus&a event represents a typica) fate for stony asteroids tens of meters in radius entering the *arth@s atmosphere at common hypersonic ve)ocities ?/hy:a et a). 166!A. 0n Nature News artic)e, Mar& .ep)o; ?211!A referenced a paper pu:)ished in May, 211! :y Andrey J)o:in ?211!A ;ho c)aimed to have found pe::)es from the %ungus&a meteor. %he artic)e descri:es three specimens, one of ;hich consists of Duart 7)i&e su:stance and has visi:)e traces of me)ting on the surface. According to Mar& .ep)o;, J)o:in@s paper G;as Duic&)y dismissed :y fie)d specia)istsH. 0ndeed, Duart has :een considered a minor to rare minera) in any type of meteorite identified so far ?Krady 2111A. Io;ever, ;e :e)ieve that the traces of me)ting on a surface of the roc& from the epicentra) area of the %ungus&a catastrophe may provide rationa)e for meticu)ous e=amination of the specimen. %he Duart 7rich specimen seems of interest to us due to recent discoveries of Duart on Mars and in connection ;ith our o;n fie)d discoveries in %ungus&a. 0n this paper, for the first time in )iterature ;ritten in *ng)ish )anguage, ;e present data on our candidate for %ungus&a meteorite and discuss it in the conte=t of the )atest discoveries of Duart and sedimentary roc&s on Mars. Methods: Analysis of the first eye itness! reports and decoding of aerial sur"ey photographs# Ana)ysis of the first reports of the %ungus&a catastrophe eye;itnesses ;as performed in 1621s and focused on identifying fresh geomorpho)ogica) formations ?ho)es, furro;s, and e=otic roc&sA. Aeria) survey photographs of 16!< and 16#6 ;ere decoded from 162# to 1652. Decoding consisted in vie;ing the stereoscopic pairs of photographs ;ith aim to identify fresh geomorpho)ogica) formations. Aeria) survey photographs of 16#6 ;ere used to determine

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. #

configuration of the comp)ete forest fa)) area> it ;as necessary to esta:)ish scattering e))ipse far end ;ith more massive meteorites. $ield %tudies# +ie)d studies too& p)ace in 16237162<, 16527165#, 165<716<2, 16<<716<6, and 166372112. (esearch in situ ;as done ;ithin the areas of interest identified :ased on the ana)ysis of the first eye;itness@ reports and decoding of aeria) survey photographs. Kroups of t;o to five vo)unteers ;ere com:ing the area :y ;a)&ing a)ong the designated para))e) routes. &'ploratory e'ca"ations# 0n 1623 to 162<, penetration funne)7)i&e structures ?n L !1A ;ere found in the area of interest. *=p)oratory e=cavations of funne)s ? n L !A consisted in cutting the narro; )ongitudina) tranches a)ong the diameter of funne) in direction para))e) to a imuth of the %ungus&a :ody f)ight. Iigh7si)ica sp)inters, recovered from the funne)s, ;ere presented to certified geo)ogists for identification. %he rest of the funne)s ;ere )eft undistur:ed. Cn Ju)y 16, 1652, e=otic :ou)der ?John@s ,tone ?J,AA ;as discovered at the ,toy&ovich Mountain. Moss cover ;as carefu))y removed from the :ou)der. +ive short radia) tranches ;ere e=cavated ;ith aim to find sp)inters of the :ou)der. %hen, the 1.3 m7deep circu)ar trench of 11 m in radius ;as e=cavated around the :ou)der. -pon identification of the narro; sector ;ith high content of sp)inters, transverse 1.37m7;ide 2.37m7deep trenches ;ere e=cavated at distances of 3 m and 11 m from the center of the :ou)der. *=cavations revea)ed :uried impact furro; ;hose configuration, depth, ;idth, a imuth, and composition of the fi))ing ground ;ere documented. %hree7dimensiona) )oca)i ations of a)) recovered sp)inters ;ere documented. Beginning part of the furro; ;as preserved undistur:ed for further studies. (econstruction studies# -pon finding numerous sp)inters of J,, reconstruction studies ;ere done. 0n case of )arge sp)inters, reconstruction ;as achieved :y identifying their initia) p)ace on John@s ,tone according to configuration of their surfaces and characteristic )itho)ogica) patters inc)uding positions of ha)f7sp)it pe::)es ;hich :e)onged to :oth the main :ou)der and sp)inters. 0n case of sma))er p)ate7)i&e shear sp)inters, ;e reconstructed continuous f)at pu )e7 )i&e sheets. Mineralogical and spectral analysis# Litho)ogica), minera)ogica), and spectra) ana)ysis of specimens ;as performed in the ,tate *nterprise GKrasnoyars& Keo)ogica) ,urveyH. Litho)ogica) and minera)ogica) characteristics ;ere studied according to standard methodo)ogy. ,pectra) ana)ysis ;as done :y using high7performance automated spectrometer MNO7< ?(ussiaA ;ith photoe)ectronic mu)tip)iers ?Iamamatsu, JapanA. (esu)ts are presented as percent concentration of chemica) e)ements. &'perimental reproduction of fusion crust on )ohn!s %tone specimen# %o reproduce fusion crust on a specimen of J,, the samp)e ;as heated ;ith p)asma :eam ?3111 P/A in a cham:er of e)ectric arc p)asma generator in the Department of ,i)icates at 'ationa) (esearch %oms& .o)ytechnic -niversityA. &stimation of energy for destruction of permafrost ground# According to direct dimensiona) measurements, tota) vo)ume of permafrost destroyed and disp)aced :y J, ;as a:out 31 m3. /ompressive strength of permafrost ;as eDuated to the strength of moderate)y strong concretes ?)imit of strength of a:out 31 NQm2A. %his supposition ;as accepted :ased on comparison of the fro en cement grouts ;ith cement grouts hardened at norma) techno)ogica)

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. 3

conditions. %he )anding ve)ocity of the meteoroid ;as ca)cu)ated via the eDuation for its &inetic energy ;hich ;as eDua) to ;or& on destruction of the given vo)ume of permafrost. *re"ious dissemination of )% specimens: Cra) reports and some characteristic specimens of J, ;ere shared ;ith e=perts from the ,tate *nterprise GKrasnoyars& Keo)ogica) ,urveyH ?Krasnoyars&, (ussiaA, %oms& ,tate -niversity ?%oms&, (ussiaA, 'ationa) (esearch %oms& .o)ytechnic -niversity ?%oms&, (ussiaA, /ommittee on Meteorites of the -,,( Academy of ,ciences ?Mosco;, (ussiaA, 'atura) Iistory Museum ?London, -KA, -niversity of Bo)ogna ?Bo)ogna, 0ta)yA, ,tate -niversity of 'e; "or& ?A):any, '", -,AA, and some others. (esults: During the e=peditions of 1623 to 162<, John Anfinogenov@s group discovered funne)7 )i&e structures ?n L !1A of 1.1 to 2.3 m in diameter ;ith typica) raised rims in the epicenter area of the %ungus&a meteoroid e=p)osion ?+igure 1A. *=p)oratory e=cavations ;ere done in three funne)s> t;o of them contained shear7fractured sp)inters ?n L 2A composed of strong)y si)icified sandstone. Keo)ogists stated that these specimens Gmay not :e meteoritesH and ca))ed the penetration funne)s7)i&e structures Go)d anthi))sH. %he specimens ;ere eventua))y )ost> the penetration funne)s ;ere disregarded. )ohn!s %tone# (econstruction studies# 0n 1652, the group discovered unusua) roc& ?John@s ,tone ?J,AA on the top of the ,toy&ovich Mountain ?+igure 1A. %he first impression ;as that the roc& ;as the so7ca))ed GDeer ,toneH or G "an&ovs&y@s ,toneH, reported :y *ven&is and /onstantine "an&ovs&y, respective)y. %he :ou)der )ocated !1 meters from the :ottom)and s;amp near the east foot of the ;est up)ift of the ,toy&ovich Mountain, five meters from the east ta=ator profi)e. John@s ,tone ;as hard)y visi:)e at first. Cn)y a sma)) patch ?21 = 21 cmA of unusua) ;hite7gray7:)ue co)or ;ith evident scorch mar&s pee&ed out of s)ight)y raised moss7 covered hi))oc&. %he patch ;as oriented south7east and raised !3 cm a:ove the surrounding ground. "oung 1#7year7o)d 1.37m-high :irch gre; on the top of the hi))oc&. 'ear)y a)) surface of J, ;as covered :y 2R!7cm7thic& )ayer of moss, fa))en )eaves, and inter)acing roots. Birch roots ;ere c)inging to the :ou)der fo))o;ing the cavities on its surface do;n to the ground. Minera) residue in the cavities ;as insignificant: from 1 to 3 mm. "oung :irches, )arch7trees, pines, and #37year7o)d 8unipers gre; near J,. Shen the young :irch gro;ing at the top of the hi))oc& ;as :ent :y hand, the :ou)der, covered on)y ;ith moss, easi)y came out. A)) surface of uncoated J, had the same ;hite7gray7:)ue co)or. Cn c)oser e=amination, the stone ;as composed of most)y )ight7toned concrete7:ound pe::)es and sand ?cong)omerate grave)ite sandstoneA ;ith un;ashed scorch mar&s. %he grain si e ;as in a range of 1.3 to 1.3 cm, rare)y up to 3 cm. ,i es of the a:ove7ground part ?cupo)aA of J, ;ere 2 = 1.3 = 1.3 m ?+igure !AA> the :ou)der set a)ong a meridian ?from south to northA. /upo)a ;as s)ight)y s)oping to the north and ;est and had steeper inc)ine to the east and south. %he vertica) south ;a)) of the :ou)der seemed :ro&en. Cvera)), J, ;as rounded, a)mond7shaped. ,i es of J, after comp)ete recovery: 2.3 = 1.5 = 1.2 m; estimated mass e=ceeded 11,111 kg. An attempt to sp)it off a samp)e sho;ed that the :ou)der ;as uniform)y resistant, concrete, e=treme)y hard, and sonorous. ,hears of J, revea)ed c)ear Duart , crysta))ine Duart , and ana)cime crysta)s fi))ing space :et;een the pe::)es. %he

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. 2

north7east, east, south, and upper surfaces of J, cupo)a had pe::)es that ;ere cut and sheared :y po;erfu) mechanica) shear action> shears ;ere very c)ean and fresh. %he ;est surface of J, had areas that )oo&ed )i&e very hard s)ags of the same composition ?si)icaA, :ut they ;ere significant)y more porous and did not have shears. Cn c)oser e=amination of the ground surrounding the north part of the :ou)der, shear7 fractured sp)inter ?23 = 1< cmA ;as found. (econstruction study confirmed that the sp)inter fitted J,> the sp)inter ;as disp)aced from the corresponding depression on the :ou)der :y 26 cm up;ard. ,hears ;ere fresh. During the season of 1652, north, south, ;est, and east e=p)oratory trenches ;ere e=cavated around J, ?+igure 2A. %he north trench contained a )arge fragment ?1.3 m in si e> #1 to 31 kgA near J,. ,pace :et;een J, and this sp)inter ;as fi))ed ;ith hardpac& soi). ,hears ;ere fresh. %he thic&ness of the specimen ranged from 1.3 to 13 cm. %e=ture of the e=posed ?northA surface of the sp)inter differed from that of the other surface: it ;as more smoothed and ;eathered. %he co)or of the shear7fractured surfaces differed from the rest of surfaces on :oth J, and the sp)inter. (econstruction study confirmed that this sp)inter perfect)y fitted the north f)at side of J,. ,ma)) chipped p)ate7)i&e sp)inters ;ere found in sma)) radia) e=p)oratory trenches at a distance of 1 to 1.21 m from J,. %he shear sp)inters ;ere found only in the trenches e=cavated east;ard from the north7east part of the :ou)der. Large circu)ar e=p)oratory trench ?117m in radius> #17cm7deep> #17cm7;ideA ;as e=cavated in the ground ringing a:out J, ?+igure 2A. ,ear sp)inters ;ere found only in the east sector of the circu)ar trench a)ong the a imuth of <3PR111P ?+igure 2A. %ransverse e=p)oratory trench ?1.3 m deepA ;as e=cavated at a distance of 2 m from J,. /ross sections on the trench ;a))s revea)ed F7shaped furro; ?descri:ed in more detai) :e)o;A fi))ed ;ith )oose :)ac& ground ?+igure !BA. %he ;a))s of the furro; contained numerous sp)inters of J,> the sp)inters ;ere im:edded into the furro; ;a))s> they ;ere a)so found in turf cover on ground surface. A 1.37m-diameter spot of )ight7toned sand ?+igure !/TDA ;as found under the )itterfa)) in the east sector of the circu)ar e=p)oratory trench at a distance of 11 m from J, a)ong the a imuth of <3P. %he accumu)ation of sand contained e=traordinary p)ate7)i&e sp)inters that fitted each other. %;o of these sp)inters had continuous ell+formed glassy coating that looked like shiny fusion crust reminiscent of freshly applied enamel. Cn)y one side of these p)ate7)i&e specimens had g)assy coating> other sides ;ere fresh)y shear7fractured. A:ove the spot of the )ight7toned sand, there ;as uprooted )arch7tree ;ithout soi) :et;een the roots> the tree cro;n ;as directed north7east. At depth of U 1.3 m and 1.3 m aside of the a:ove mentioned spot of sand, massive ?2,111 &gA sp)inter ?,ate))ite ,tone ?,,AA ;as found ?+igure 2> +igure !*A. Mutua) positiona) re)ationship of pe::)es suggested that ,, :ro&e off the south ;a)) of J, ?+igure #A. ,ate))ite ,tone ;as overturned upside do;n re)ative to J,. ,and )ayer stretched up to the ground surface north7;est from ,,: upper part of sand )ayer contained the a:ove mentioned specimens ;ith g)assy coating.

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. 5

,p)inters, found in the north ;a)) of the furro;, accurate)y fitted corresponding p)aces on the upper part of J,. At a distance of 6 m from J,, the south ;a)) of the furro; contained massive sp)inter accurate)y matching the :ottom side of J,. 0mportant)y, roundish p)ate7)i&e sp)inter ?!1 cm in diameter and 11 cm thic&A ;as recovered from under the south side of ,,. Se named this specimen G(ed (iding IoodH ?((IA due to reddish co)or of its coating. Se :e)ieve that reddish co)or of ((I ;as caused :y its years7)ong7contact ;ith the ground saturated ;ith iron o=ides present at the :ottom part of the furro; under ,, ?possi:)e rep)acement :y terrestria) minera)sA. (econstruction study sho;ed that ((I accurate)y fitted J, cupo)a. 'um:er of specimens, found in the e=p)oratory trenches, e=ceeded !31. Most)y, these ;ere )itt)e sca)y p)ate7)i&e shear7fractured sp)inters. ,i es ranged from severa) centimeters in diameter and severa) mi))imeters in thic&ness to thirty centimeters in diameter and severa) centimeters in thic&ness. ,ome of them had idea))y smooth g)assy outer surfaces. Se ;ere a:)e to reconstruct t;o continuous f)at pu )e7)i&e sheets made of do ens of p)ate7)i&e shear7fractured sp)inters. %ota) area of these sheets ;as a:out one fourth of a sDuare meter> sp)inters perfect)y gap)ess fitted each other. ,urface co)or varied from )ight77:)uish7gray to dar& rusty7:ro;n ?+igure 3A. Se )eft preserved areas around J, non7e=cavated for further studies. $urro s# *=p)oratory e=cavations revea)ed furro; south7east of ,,. %he furro; ;as s)ight)y s)oping deeper into the ground. +urther e=cavations e=posed the second hidden :uried furro; ?1.<3R1.61 m deepA ;hich e=tended the furro; from ,, to the very J, ?+igure 2A. %his furro; had very definite fractured :oundariesQedges :et;een the )ight7toned fro en sand and )oose :)ac& organic7matter7containing soi) fi))ing the furro;. %his :)ac& soi) ;as very )oose and easy to e=cavate: meta))ic po)e po&ed do;n through 1.2 m of this soi) ;ithout effort. +urro; depth s)ight)y dec)ined to;ard J,. /ross section configuration of the furro; perfect)y matched the profi)e of J, on the edge ?+igure !BT*A. %ransverse e=p)oratory tranches, e=cavated across the furro;, revea)ed numerous varia:)e7si e sp)inters ;hose surfaces accurate)y matched certain p)aces on J,. %he ;a))s of the )arge furro; contained Duart pe::)es ?up to 11 cm in diameterA ;hich ;ere ha)f7c)eaved> the ha)ves matched each other. Based on the direction of the furro;s, tra8ectory of J, )anding ;as estimated. Magnetic a imuth of the entry into the ground ;as 2<1PR!21P> pro8ection of the tra8ectory ;as 111PR 1#1P. .attern of permafrost destruction indicated high7speed entry and )atera) ricochet of J, in the ground ;ith further dece)eration and :rea&age. ,ince mass of J, is &no;n ?a:out 11,111 &gA, ;e estimated the )anding ve)ocity of the meteoroid via the eDuation for its &inetic energy ;hich ;as eDua) to ;or& on destruction of the given vo)ume of permafrost ? 31 m!A.

EEntry Strength VGround

According to our ca)cu)ations, the J, )anding ve)ocity ;as 331 mQc. ,ithological and spectral analysis# John@s ,tone is composed of sedimentary metamorphic Duart 7rich cong)omerate grave)ite sandstone ;ith grain si e of 1.3 to 1.3 cm, rare)y up to 3 cm. %he roc& consists of 6<.3B of ,iC2 ?<1R<3B of si)ica materia)s and minera)s> 13R21B of si)iceous cementA. Minera) composition inc)udes Duart and sparse ana)cime> some e=perts noted )echate)ierite. Minera)ogica) composition, e=cept )echate)ierite, is hard)y

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. <

distinguisha:)e from terrestria) a:yssa) sedimentary roc&s. John@s ,tone is e=treme)y hard, sonorous, uniform)y resistant, and high7strength roc&. .etrographic ana)ysis sho;ed that g)assy coatings on some sp)inters are fine7crysta))ine structures of the same composition as the ad8oining grains. %hic&ness of this crust is up to 1.3 mm. %a:)e 0 sho;s the resu)ts of spectra) ana)ysis of John@s ,tone specimen. Se ;ere una:)e to reproduce fusion crust on J, specimen. ,urface heating :y p)asma :eam ?3111 P/A in a cham:er of e)ectric arc p)asma generator )ed to the e=p)osive disintegration of the specimen. Disco)ored residue ;as composed of ;hitish semi7transparent pumice7)i&e grains and irregu)ar)y7shaped fused partic)es> grain si e ranged from 1 to 3 mm. -iscussion: John@s ,tone )ocates on Duaternary deposits at the top of the ,toy&ovich Mountain. Large )ight7toned sedimentary :ou)ders made of strong)y si)icified sandstone are e=otic to the :o)son of the ,toy&ovich mountain ;hose pic&s and shou)ders are composed of traps ?anogenic, igneous roc&s, %ungus&a :asa)tsA. %here are no signs of past g)aciation throughout the region in7:et;een the .od&amennaya %ungus&a and 'i hnyaya %ungus&a rivers ?.armu in 1632A. Decoding of aeria) survey photographs covering area ;ithin #1 &m from the epicenter demonstrates that geo)ogica) formations )i&e active diatremes are un)i&e)y in the region. Se ;ere una:)e to reproduce fusion crust on J, specimen: surface heating :y p)asma :eam )ed to the e=p)osive disintegration of the specimen. %his resu)t may suggest that the crysta) structure of minera)s in the specimen ;as overstressed due to previous history of high7energy events. %he idea that J, has cosmic origin is consistent ;ith the discovery of significant)y higher content of g)assy si)ica microspheru)es in peat )ayer of 161< ?Do)gov et a). 165!A. .eat )ayer of 161< contained up to hundredfo)d7higher count of gray and co)or)ess transparent si)ica microspheru)es than the ad8acent peat )ayers. Data of neutron activation ana)ysis sho;ed that chemica) composition of microspheru)es ;as distinct from that of terrestria) roc&s, industria) g)ass, &no;n stony meteorites, te&tites, and Moon roc&s ?Ko)esni&ov et a). 1652A. Se suggest that J, has high simi)arity, :ut not re)atedness, to the terrestria) roc&s. Martian meteorite e=istence has :een recogni ed since ear)y 16<1s ?Bogard and Johnson 16<!A. %hey disp)ay igneous minera) composition, characteristic isotope ratios, and specific gas and ;ater inc)usions. Cf over 21,111 meteorites that have :een cata)oged on *arth, 122 ;ere identified as Martian ?as of June 26, 211!A ?%he Meteoritica) ,ocietyA. Cur candidate for %ungus&a meteorite is composed of 6<.3B ,iC2 and has sedimentary origin. Avai)a:)e )iterature suggest that Duart 7:earing deposits are present and consistent)y co7)ocated ;ith hydrated si)ica on Mars ?,mith and Bandfie)d 2112A. %he Duart formed as a diagenetic product of amorphous si)ica, rather than as a primary igneous minera). /rysta))ine Duart is present in iso)ated e=posures in impact craters ?Bandfie)d et a). 211#A and in near:y &no::y and fractured terrains ?Bandfie)d 2112A in Antoniadi /rater region. A)) detected Duart is co7)ocated ;ith p)agioc)ase fe)dspar imp)ying that these e=posures may represent a fe)sic p)uton that ;as )ater e=cavated :y impacts ?,mith and Bandfie)d 2112> Bandfie)d 211#A. Antoniadi /rater once contained rivers and )a&es ?Bridges 211<A. Jero)mac& D. J. ?211!A provided evidence for pe::)es on Mars. Si))iams (. M. *. et al. ?211!A reported a:out discovery of cong)omerates on Mars R pe::)es mi=ed ;ith sand and turned to roc& R resu)ting from ancient river deposits. Cther authors a)so
11

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stated presence of indurated and )ithified dunes of sand, sandstone, and c)ay on Mars ?*dgett and Ma)in 2111> Ker:er and Iead 2112> Micha)s&i 211!A. ,imi)ar)y to J, from the epicenter of the %ungus&a catastrophe, aeo)ian ridges on Mars are )ight7toned ?Ker:er and Iead 2112A. Cutcrops of )ight7toned roc&s ;ere reported a)ong /oprates /hasma, Cphir /hasma, /andor /hasma, Cudemans /rater, %rouve)ot /rater, etc. ?I0(0,*A. %here is stri&ing simi)arity :et;een the appearance of Martian pe::)e cong)omerates and J, from the epicenter of %ungus&a catastrophe ?Dai)y Mai) (eporter 211!A. %he idea of sedimentary origin meteorites ;as suggested for the first time in )ate 16!1s. Se have e=pressed this idea starting from ear)y 1651s ;hen J, ;as found> our considerations ;ere pu:)ished main)y in (ussian )iterature ?Anfinogenov and Budaeva 166<A. Before us, in 16#5, /ross +/ reported a:out three specimens inc)uding t;o grayish fine7grained sandstone found in the -nited ,tates, that, in his opinion, deserved consideration to :e of cosmic origin ?/ross 2112A. Ie :rief)y revie;ed account of 16!6 from Dr. Assar Iadding, the Director of the Keo)ogica) 0nstitute in Lund ?,;edenA, ;ho descri:ed t;o specimens ?one of )imestone and one of sandstoneA that he :e)ieved ;ere meteorites ?Iadding 16#1A. 0n 2111s, internationa) research team did a series of e=periments ;hose o:8ectives ;ere to determine the effects of therma) a)teration during atmospheric entry of Martian ana)ogue sediments ?+oucher et a). 2116> Brac& et a). 2112A. 0n these e=periments, the ho)ders ;ith terrestria) sedimentary stone specimens ;ere fi=ed onto the capsu)e near the stagnation point of +C%C', ro:otic spacecraft used :y (ussia and the *uropean ,pace Agency for research in the microgravity environment of *arth or:it. Fa)ua:)e data ;ere eventua))y generated sho;ing that the admi=ture of fragments of si)icified vo)canic sediments and space cement survived the therma) shoc& ;e)), forming a ;hite fusion crust ?+oucher et a). 2116A. .onclusions# %he fo))o;ing findings confirm high7speed movement of J, through the near7surface permafrost )ayers: ?iA :uried s)ight)y arching furro; in the permafrost> ?iiA shear7 fractured sp)inters of J,> ?iiiA ,, ;ith its o;n furro;> ?ivA sp)inters ;ith g)assy coatings> ?vA> ha)f7c)eaved pe::)es on surfaces of J, and its sp)inters> ?viA data of reconstruction studies> and ?viiA c)ear consistency in geometry of spacia) arrangements of a)) sp)inters, furro;s, c)eaved pe::)es, etc. %he )anding ve)ocity of J, ;as 331 m/c. %ra8ectory of J, )anding agreed ;e)) ;ith tra8ectory of %ungus&a cosmic :ody f)ight. Discovery of this sedimentary origin high7si)ica :ou)der ;ith signs of high7speed co))ision ;ith *arth in the epicenter of the %ungus&a catastrophe may suggest its cosmic origin and re)ation to the 161< %ungus&a event. Crgani ation of the internationa) interdiscip)inary research group is necessary to identify Martian meteorites of sedimentary origin composed of fine7 and coarse7grained si)icified cong)omerates. %he authors dec)are no competing financia) interests. /orrespondence and reDuests for materia)s shou)d :e addressed to anfiy89gmai).

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. 11

%upplementary Information: Cur study provides rationa)e for ?iA )itho)ogica) and thermo)uminescent ana)ysis of g)assy surfaces of J, sp)inters> ?iiA isotope ana)ysis of si)icon and o=ygen in J,> ?iiiA radioisotope ana)ysis of J,> ?ivA comparative ana)ysis of J,, simi)ar terrestria) roc&s, and Martian meteorites> ?vA pa)eonto)ogica) ana)ysis of J,> ?viA e=p)oration survey of the preserved su:surface )ayers of the ground around J, in the east7south sector> ?viiA e=p)oratory e=cavation of the point ;here J, penetrated the ground> and ?viiiA mi)itary7crimino)ogy ana)ysis of the permafrost destruction caused :y J,> the destruction may :e simi)ar to that caused :y ricochet of a fa))en, :ut une=p)oded, :om:. A)) sp)inters ;ith g)assy coverings shou)d :e recovered as soon as possi:)e due to imminence of the rep)acement of the fusion crust :y terrestria) minera)s. (eferences:
1.

Fasi)iev '. F., Kova)evs&y A. +., (a in ,. A., and *pi&tetova L. *. 16<1. (eports of %ungus&a meteorite eye;itnesses. /ata)og of eye;itnesses@ reports. %oms&: %,- )i:rary deposit <1 from 2# 'ov 16<1. V !31 ?in (ussianA. ,us)ov 0. M. 1625. 0nterrogation of eye;itnesses of the %ungus&a catastrophe. %ungus&a meteorite pro:)em. %oms&: %,- .u:)ishing Iouse. 2:217!1 ?in (ussianA.

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!. /hy:a /. +., %homas .. J., and Jahn)e K. J. 166!. %he 161< %ungus&a e=p)osion: atmospheric disruption of a stony asteroid. 'ature !21:#17##, doi:11.11!<Q!211#1a1. #. .ep)o; M. 211!. (oc& samp)es suggest meteor caused %ungus&a :)ast. 'ature W 'e;s ?11 June 211!A, doi: 11.11!<Qnature.211!.1!12!. 3. J)o:in A. *. 211!. Discovery of pro:a:)y %ungus&a meteorites at the :ottom of Khushmo river@s shoa). *print arXiv:1!1#.<151 ?26 Apr 211!A, in press ?avai)a:)e at http:QQar=iv.orgQa:sQ1!1#.<151A.
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Krady M. M. 2111. /ata)ogue of Meteorites, Sith specia) reference to those represented in the co))ection of the 'atura) Iistory Museum, +ifth *dition. /am:ridge: /am:ridge -niversity .ress. 2<6 pp. ?avai)a:)e at http:QQ;;;.nhm.ac.u&Qresearch7 curationQresearchQpro8ectsQmetcatQA. .armu in "u. .. 1632. *=otic pe::)e of Midd)e ,i:eria. .roceedings. Keomorpho)ogy. Mosco;: Mosco; ,tate -niversity .u:)ishing Iouse. 1<2:1<57161. 0n (ussian. Do)gov "u. A., Fasi)iev '. F., ,hugurova '. A., Lvov "u. A., Lavrentiev "u. K., and Krishin "u. A. 165!. /omposition of microspheru)es and peat of %ungus&a meteorite fa)) region. Meteoritics !2:1#571#6. Ko)esni&ov *. M., Lu) A. "u., and 0vanova K. M. 1652. 'eutron activation ana)ysis of some e)ements in si)ica spheru)es from peat of %ungus&a meteorite fa)) region, in /osmic matter on *arth. 'ovosi:irs&: G'au&aH .u:)ishing Iouse, ,i:erian Branch.

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11. %he Meteoritica) ,ociety, Meteoritica) http:QQ;;;.)pi.usra.eduQmeteorQinde=.phpA.

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1<. *dgett K. ,. and Ma)in M. /. 2111. *=amp)es of martian sandstone: indurated, )ithified, and cratered eo)ian dunes in MK, MC/ images. Lunar and .)antery ,cience /onference !1: A:s. 1151. 16. Ker:er L. and Iead J. S. 2112. A progression of induration in Medusae +ossae +ormation transverse aeo)ian ridges: evidence for ancient aeo)ian :edforms and e=tensive re;or&ing. *arth ,urf. .rocess. Landforms !5:#227#!!, doi: 11.1112Qesp.2236. 21. Micha)s&i J. (., /uadros J., 'i)es .. B., .arne)) J., (ogers A. D., and Sright ,. .. 211!. Kround;ater activity on Mars and imp)ications for a deep :iosphere. 'ature Keoscience 2:1!!71!<, doi:11.11!<Qngeo1512. 21. Iigh reso)ution imaging science e=periment ?images http:QQhirise.)p).ari ona.eduQresu)ts.phpY&ey;ordLLight7%oned B21(oc&sTorderLre)easeZdateTsu:mitL,earchTpageL1A. avai)a:)e at

22. Dai)y Mai) (eporter. 211!. .e::)es prove streams once f)o;ed across Mars 7 and raise hopes of finding )ife on the red p)anet. Mai)Cn)ine ?!1 May 211!A ?avai)a:)e at http:QQ;;;.dai)ymai).co.u&QsciencetechQartic)e72!!!#51Q.e::)es7revea)7streams7f)o;ed7 Mars77raise7hopes7finding7)ife7red7p)anet.htm)\i= 2Xh0mI"%2A.

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. 12 2!. Anfinogenov J. +.

and Budaeva L. 0. 166<. %ungus&a etudes: deve)opment of interdiscip)inary approach to so)ve the pro:)em of the %ungus&a meteorite. %oms&: .u:)ishing Iouse of %oms& (egion *ducation /enter. 11< pp. ?avai)a:)e at http:QQtungus&a.tsc.ruQruQ)yricsQproseQanfiQA ?in (ussianA.

2#. /ross +. /. 2112. Iypothetica) Meteorites of ,edimentary Crigin. /ontri:utions of the Meteoritica) ,ociety #:11715 ?16#5A. Artic)e first pu:)ished on)ine: 13 June 2112, Doi: 11.1111Q8.16#373111.16#5.t:1111#.=. 23. Iadding A. 16#1. Se and the ;or)d outside. Keo)ogica) Aspects of the .ro:)em of Meteorites ?)ectureA, Kung. +ssiograf. ,ii))s&. Lund +or)i. 11?#A:!5731.
22.

+oucher +., Sesta)) +., Brandst]tter +., Demets (., .arne)) J., /oc&e))e /. ,., *d;ards I. K. M., B[nyg J.7M., and Brac& A. 2116. %esting the surviva) of microfossi)s in artificia) martian sedimentary meteorites during entry into *arthEs atmosphere: the ,%C'* 2 e=periment. 0carus 215?2A:21272!1, doi: 11.1112Q8.icarus.2116.12.11#. Brac& A., Bag)ioni .., Borruat K., Brandst]tter +., Demets (., *d;ards I. K. M., Kenge M., Kurat K., Mi))er M. +., 'e;ton *. M., .i))inger /. %., (oten /.7A., and Sasch *. 2112. Do meteoroids of sedimentary origin survive terrestria) atmospheric entryY %he *,A artificia) meteorite e=periment ,%C'*, .)anet. ,pace ,ci. 31:52!7552.

25.

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%a:)e 0. ,pectrometry data. *)ementa) ana)ysis of John@s ,tone. &lement .: /u Jn /o F /r 'i %i Mn Ka Ba Mo Be ,r Jr ': B . /e Ag " Li ,n n x 10+/0 1.21 #.11 3.11 1.11 1.!1 !.11 1.11 !11.11 21.11 1.11 R 1.21 ^ 1.11 R 13.11 1.31 1.21 #1.11 ^ 1.11 1.13 1.11 1.11 1.11

Manuscript: Anfinogenov et al. 1#

$igure captions: $ig# 1# ,chematic map of the epicenter area of the %ungus&a catastrophe of 161<. Location of John@s ,tone and penetration funne)7)i&e structures. $ig# 1# ,cheme of the e=p)oratory e=cavations and main findings ?1652A around John@s ,tone. )%: John@s ,tone. %%: ,ate))ite ,tone ;hich ;as reconstructed to fit the south part of J, ?,,$A. ((2: G(ed7(iding7IoodH specimen found under the south part of ,, and reconstructed to fit J, cupo)a ?((I$A. 134: %he 1.37 to 2.17m7deep e=p)oratory trenches. 9: Large specimen found in 1.57m7deep trench> this specimen ;as reconstructed to fit :ottom side of J,. 1151/: ,ectors of the furro;s, enriched ;ith numerous sp)inters of J,. 11: ,pot of sand ?see a)so +igure ! /TDA ;here t;o e=traordinary specimens ;ith continuous ;e))7formed g)assy coatings ;ere found> these specimens fitted each other, :ut ;ere spaced7apart :y 31 cm and deposited at different depth. 16: +ragment of the origina) furro; generated :y movement of the J,T,, precursor. Direction of this furro; apparent)y resem:)es tra8ectory of meteorite )anding. Beginning part of the furro; ;as )eft undistur:ed for further studies. $ig# /# .hotographs ?1652A of John@s ,tone and re)ated findings. A: John@s ,tone and its sca)y p)ate7)i&e sp)inters ?:ottom )eftA. 7: +urro; fi))ed ;ith )oose :)ac& soi). Shite arro;s sho; profi)e of the furro;. .5-: ,pot of )ight7toned sand containing e=traordinary specimens ;ith continuous ;e))7formed g)assy coating. &: ,ate))ite ,tone ;hich fits the south part of John@s ,tone. $ig# 6# *=amp)e of the reconstruction study sho;ing that ,ate))ite ,tone :ro&e off John@s ,tone precursor. A: .hotograph of the south ;a)) of John@s ,tone. B)ue tracings sho; characteristic )ines of its superficia) architectonics. 7: .hotograph of ,ate))ite ,tone. "e))o; tracings sho; characteristic )ines of its superficia) architectonics. .: B)ue tracings are ta&en from the image A. Crange tracings indicate over)ay ?a:so)ute matchingA of characteristic )ines from A and B. $ig# 8# 0mages of five specimens from John@s ,tone. .hotos ta&en in 211!. (ed arro;s indicate ha)f7c)eaved shear7fractured pe::)es. "e))o; arro; indicates crac& in the crust. %1$1 5 %1$1: %;o vie;s of )ight7toned specimen 1 ;ith characteristic :o;ed shape, smoother outer surface, and fresh)y fractured edges. %1$1: K)assy covering on specimen 2. %/$19 %/$1 5 %/$/: %hree vie;s of specimen !. %6$1 5 %6$1: %;o images of f)at p)ate7)i&e sp)inter ?specimen dimensions: thic&ness of 1 to # cm> )ongitudina) si e of 21 cmA. %8$1: Kenera) vie; of f)at p)ate7)i&e sp)inter 3. %8$1: ,igns of surface ;eathering and rust f)o;ering on the crust of sp)inter 3. %8$/: (everse side of sp)inter 3. %8$6# Magnified image of sp)inter 3.

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