Nanosecond dynamics of destruction of an inhomogeneous solid (granite) induced by an impact on its surface

Dynamics of microcrack formation and deformation of a granite-sample surface after a striker impact have been studied with a time resolution of 2 ns. The impact excites the sample’s natural vibrations that lead to formation of clusters of microcracks with linear dimensions of ~2 to 10 μm in feldspar grains. The formation of microcracks, in turn, excites natural vibrations of the grains.