DEPRECATED VERSION - PLEASE USE VER 4.0: The Fractured Antipodal Bullet (FAB) Theory v2.0: Impact-Triggered Large Igneous Provinces and Mass Extinctions Through Deep Planetary Penetration
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: DEPRECATED VERSION - PLEASE USE VER 4.0: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18204600 THIS IS A OUTDATED VERSION. The Fractured Antipodal Bullet (FAB) theory proposes that Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) are triggered by large asteroid impacts through a mechanism of deep planetary penetration. When a differentiated asteroid (50-60 km diameter) impacts Earth, its dense metallic core (30-40 km diameter, density 7,800 kg/m³) penetrates through the mantle via a combination of kinetic momentum, gravitational acceleration, and transient conduit formation (gravitational dikes), reaching depths of 2,900 km and exiting violently at the antipodal point. This comprehensive 139-page work presents the complete theoretical framework, supported by multiple independent lines of evidence: **Geometric Evidence:** Two confirmed impact-LIP pairs show precise antipodal correlations (Wilkes Land-Siberian Traps: 6° separation; Chicxulub-Deccan Traps: 10-15° separation), with combined probability of coincidence <10⁻⁸. **Temporal Evidence:** High-precision geochronology demonstrates synchronous timing within ±100,000 years (Chicxulub-Deccan: 66.043±0.011 Ma). **Geochemical Evidence:** Extreme platinum group element enrichments at LIP-associated ore deposits (Norilsk: 50,000-200,000× crustal background) with osmium isotope ratios (¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os = 0.1275) indicating core-chondritic origin, not crustal origin. **Physical Mechanisms:** Detailed physics of impact penetration, seismic wave focusing, antipodal eruption, chemical explosion upon atmospheric contact, and caldera lid collapse mechanism explaining observed pulse periodicities (200,000-800,000 years). The work addresses and refutes common objections (seismic-only models, hidden metals hypotheses, Late Heavy Bombardment scenarios) using isotopic evidence, mass balance calculations, and probabilistic analysis. Testable predictions are provided across five domains: geophysical imaging, geochemical signatures, geochronology, structural geology, and deep time correlations extending to 3.5+ Ga. Applications include mass extinction mechanisms, planetary thermal evolution, exoplanet habitability assessment, and survival architecture for future impact events. The theory offers a unified explanation for phenomena that previous models address separately: antipodal volcanism, synchronous timing, extreme metal enrichments, and catastrophic mass extinctions. This version includes plain-language explanations alongside technical content, making the work accessible to both specialists and educated general audiences. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1089-9023. Contact: [email protected]
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7117884029
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