At New Concepts in Global Tectonics journal, 3:2 June issue of 2015 (www.ncgt.org), there is an interesting paper, some 26 pages in length (lots of illustrations) that claims cratering on earth is not as simple as mainstream would have believe (and the same goes for other cosmic bodies such as Mars and the Moon). Cratering is erroneously lumped together as entirely due to meteoroid and asteroid impacts. The author, Wayne Burn, is UK based and was an environmentalist that has since become something of an artist (which is where his interest in polygonal shapes arises from we might suspect). References include lots of papers on geology, meteors and asteroids, the K/T boundary event, and somewhat surprisingly, 'Symbols of an Alien Sky' (straight out of Thunderbolts territory). He also provides a link to a Channel 4 video of lightning taking place at super slow motion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLWIBrweSU8 …
The conclusions are that lightning bolts are responsible for some cratering, mainly polygonal shaped craters. Discharge also accounts for kimbelite and diatreme formation. He then makes the claim that 'all meteorites are formed by lightning strikes' and their composition and appearance being a direct result of their respective position within the area of the lightning strike as delineated by his zonal formation model. He also seems to dispute the Alvarez asteroid impact theory at the K/T boundary, associated as it is with high levels of irridium on the one hand and the Chicxulub crater on the other. He says both are due to lightning bolts. The author ends by thanking Louis Hissink, Don Scott and Wal Thornhill. It is unclear if they were involved in the production of the paper other than offering some ideas – although he has obviously visited the web site and read Don Scott's book or articles.
This represents a notch in the belt of the Electric Universe people (coming so soon after the publication of the Don Scott article in a respected journal) and no doubt we shall see more of this in the future. For the moment it is something of a novelty. However, the NCGT journal is just that – new concepts in global tectonics (or that aspect of geology). Last issue had a paper by Bob Johnson so it is definitely part of a trend. The journal seems to specialise in publishing articles mainstream would otherwise ignore – or reject via peer review procedures (on the basis it contradicted settled science). What it also means is that more people will become aware of the Electric Universe theory – and no doubt people will seek out 'Symbols of an Alien Sky' as a point of reference.
Silverpit Crater in the North Sea is discussed. It was initially described as a multi ringed impact structure (Stewart and Allen, 2002). We even had an article in SIS on Silverpit where it was assumed it was an impact. However, not all geologists and their kindred saw it way as Underhill (2004) proposed an alternative theory of salt withdrawal (there is a lot of salt in the geology below the North Sea – and in parts of Britain too). Wayne Burn says neither theory is satisfactory and cannot explain the shape of the feature, which is polygonal in outline. He says it was formed by a lightning bolt – not by a meteorite.
He asks how do we account for meteorite fragments in polygonal craters – which must surely contradict his theory. No, he says meteorites were formed in the strike event by lightning. Possibly he means meteorite like fragments. However, he does have a point about meteorite formation as many of those that have landed on earth have an origin in the solar system, on the surface of Mars for example. You will need to read the article to get a handle on what he is saying as he also says all meteorites are the products of lightning, even those from witnessed falls, have high concentrations of irridium – and he says this is due to the lightning bolt process.