Absolutely right both as regards this particular geological structure and the problems that Saddam will present to studying it. Yet another good reason for getting rid of that SOB one way or another as quickly as possible, as if the misery he brought to the people of Iraq and their neighbors were not sufficient enough. Saddam - the unfortunate result of yet another CIA screw-up.

As for the "castles of sand", the destruction levels at Tel Leilan are very well defined - there its more like castles turned into sand by impact. Later records are also very clear as to what occured shortly before they were written. That there was an cometary impact event is certain, but whether this particular crater is the reult of it needs confirmation in the field.

EP