IMPACT CRATERING - A REVIEW, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF IMPACT STRUCTURES AND THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN IMPACT CRATER RECORD

Only since several decades has impact cratering been recognized as an important surface process on all planetary bodies in the Solar System. However, as the process has not yet been effectively introduced into geological curricula, it is necessary to inform a wider public about i ts importance for (i) planetary formation and (ii) evolution, (iii) th e understanding of this process as a geological process, (iv) the terr estrial impact crater record and its limitations, and (v) the recognit ion criteria for terrestrial impact structures, as well as (vi) the ne ed of improvement of the impact cratering record in the light of the p otential danger of an impact catastrophe on this planet. It is, partic ularly for developing countries, of interest to examine the economic a nd educational-environmental potential of impact structures. That it i s possible to carry out an effective, low-budget geological investigat ion of impact structures within a ''Second World'' environment is demo nstrated by the discussion of the progress that has been made in recen t years with regard to the Southern African impact crater record. Seve ral recommendations on how to improve, on the one hand, the terrestria l impact crater record and, on the other, their general working situat ion by activation of workers in Developing Countries are discussed.