Geologic Analysis of Impact Structures, Exploring Our Natural Resources
Recent geologic fieldwork confirms a ~600 Ma Beaverhead and an overlapping 52 Ma Challis impact structure, Idaho and Montana
The new geology sub-discipline: impact crater tectonics
Impact Crater Studies Group
Impact Crater Tectonics is a provocative and scientifically grounded sub-discipline of geology that challenges the current geological paradigm of Plate Tectonics. Impact Tectonics recognizes that the terrestrial planets and moons in our solar system all share a common heritage, all endure similar geological processes, all suffered the same asteroid and meteor bombardments over the course of geologic time.
Earth is indeed unique, our beloved blue marble in the sky. But is it singularly unique with regard to geologic processes? Did water on Mars flow similarly to how it flows on Earth? Have we misled ourselves into believing the Earth consists of a puzzle of interlocking plates, some diving under continents to form volcanoes, others colliding with continents and forming mountains; when in fact those arcuate mountain ranges coincide with impact crater rims and volcanic flows leak from fissures in the Earth caused by bolide impact?
If interested in this topic, commence study. Read. Observe. Dream. And above all have fun. And if you catch the bug and want more, drop a note, accompany us on one of our field trips to impact craters, collaborate with anyone who will listen. Above all, live outside that box. And if you do live outside that box, you'll know you are on the right track when the gatekeepers chuckle when they present you your very own tin foil hat.
Who We are
David Buthman has over 4 decades of oil and gas exploration and development experience working for Unocal, Chevron, and Hilcorp. Although still working "special projects" for large clients, he spends his time furthering the nascent subdiscipline of geology: Impact Crater Tectonics.
G.C. Herman, PhD: A professional geologist that has mapped and researched Appalachian geology for over three decades with the New Jersey Geological Survey. He taught Earth Science as an adjunct professor at various colleges, and has been recently conducting geoarchaeological research and writing about his findings. His research and publications are on-line through www.impacttectonics.org.
Samuel Epstein of Geoval Consulting, taking a serious hit of "magnetics" during his recent talk on the Daquing Oil Field, China, at the Northeast Section of the GSA during March of 2026.
Hutch Jobe doing the "dirty work" of changing the first of two flat tires while exploring the Beaverhead and Challis impact structures along the backroads of Montana and Idaho.
Lindell C. Bridges: President of Pure Earth Resources, a geoscience firm with offices in Edmond, Oklahoma, and Sharpsville, Pennsylvania. By education and training, Lindell is a geologist with more than forty-one years of experience in development and exploration in the oil and gas industry in addition to a few mining projects. About half of his career has been working unconventional plays.
Mike Horstman, off-road driver and drone pilot extraordinaire. Thank you Mikey!
! New Release: "Decoding Astrobleme Potential"
Amazon.com review
"The next big leap."
A great read for geologists and scientists alike. The book reads quite well with fascinating sections drawing connections between impact craters and nuclear testing. Mr. Buthman's grasp on geology is second to none and while his hypotheses are not aligned with current accepted industry/academic models, his concepts and ideas beg scientists and enthusiasts alike to think outside the box and discover enormous potential. -Ben Siks, August 18, 2025.
Review 2
Buthman's book is science writing at its very best. Packed with facts and analysis for experts, it remains accessible to lay readers. Our planet's growing need to identify alternative sources of sustainable energy should position this book near the top of everyone's reading list. Oddly, the importance of astroblemes for resource exploration seems to have been largely missed by the mainstream orthodoxy. However, the facts and analyses presented should trigger a reexamination of the orthodoxy. To its credit, the book is well organized and never gets lost in its presentation of facts and analysis. This book is well-written and highly entertaining. The author has been "in the field" for over forty years and has many stories to tell. Where else could you turn to for a vivid explanation of what happens below the surface during an underground nuclear test? Or learn what happened at "Baby Head Hill Cemetery" in Texas? Or learn about reidite, a rare mineral the world's known supply of which would fit under your fingernail?
This book will leave you feeling more hopeful. While we might well wonder whether current efforts to harvest renewable energy sources will be sufficient, it is encouraging to find that someone is seeking solutions outside the box. This is a feel-good geology book and well worth a read.
-J. Horstman, July 8, 2025
Review 3
Very inspiring work. I hope it inspires the future generation of geologists to include Impact Tectonics as a critical part of their tool box.
-G.C. Herman, August 10, 2025.
Reviews of "Impact Crater Tectonics"
Review 1
A must read for any geologist or adjacent professions. Provocative & heretical ideas in this book, but Dave constructs his arguments / logic so well that it cannot be ignored and even the most fundamental geologist has to at least question what they've been taught. Most interesting read I've had in years, but I'm just a driller.
- J. Lawley, June 12, 2025
Review 3
"It's a great read. Haven't enjoyed one this much since John McPhee's, "In Suspect Terrain.""
-T. Shaw, April 13, 2022
Review 2
It's refreshing to see the issue of tectonic catastrophism raised and illustrated for Earth. This work elevates the awareness of extraterrestrial bombardment into a more prominent place when considering Earthly tectonics. It also raises a very profound concern regarding current tectonic theories' adherence to geological uniformitarianism.
-Dr. G.C. Herman, June 20, 2022
Review 4
I read this book with great interest. It brings together a plethora of data and examples demonstraing a crucial role in some cases of the presence of a meteorite crater in developing oil, gas, and mineral accumulations. There are several good examples demonstrating the relationship of craters helping in forming traps to aid in accumulations of minerals and petroleum. This is a good addition to any resource library.
-Orion555, November 11, 2022
Review 5
"Plate Tectonics is dead!"
It's so logical."
- M. DeBolt, June 26, 2022
Review 6
...While plate tectonics is superior to the "Dental Theory" ... it is inferior to Impact Accretion Tectonics. Do yourself a favor and read this modern theory book: Impact Crater Tectonics: The Future of Resource Exploration.
-L. Isham, September 9, 2023