Shootout: YDB hypothesis debate at Laramie AMQUA conference

Session 5: Comet Impact as the Cause of the Younger Dryas: Pros and Cons

Chair: Dan Muhs

Allen West

1:00 p.m. Allen West – The Younger Dryas impact controversy: Exploring the competing hypotheses for the deposition of nanodiamonds, magnet c spherules, and other

evidence at 12.9 ka

Todd Surovell

1:30 p.m. Todd Surovell – Magnetic grains and microspherules from seven North American

archaeological sites do not support YD impact

Ted Bunch

2:00 p.m. Ted Bunch – New physical evidence that a cosmic object impacted the Earth at 12.9 ka, along with a presentation of potential impact mechanisms

2:30 p.m. Break

Mark Boslough

2:50 p.m. Mark Boslough – Problems with the Younger Dryas boundary (YDB) impact hypothesis

Jim Kennett

3:20 p.m. Jim Kennett – Consistency of Younger Dryas climatic, biotic, and oceanic changes with YDB cosmic impact hypothesis

Nick Pinter

3:50 p.m. Nicholas Pinter – Testing YD impact markers: Terrestrial vs. extraterrestrial sources