Victor A. Gostin (born 1940) is an Australian geologist and academic known for his research on impact structures and sedimentology. He has served as an associate professor at the University of Adelaide, where he has taught and supervised students in geology and related fields.
Gostin’s most notable contribution is the identification and analysis of ejecta deposits from the Acraman impact crater in the Flinders Ranges of South Australia. In the 1970s, he and his research team recognized a layer of volcanic material in the Flinders Ranges that originated from the Acraman crater, which formed approximately 580 million years ago when a meteorite struck the region. This work provided key evidence for one of the largest known impact events in Precambrian Earth history and has been widely cited in studies of impact geology and its effects on the Earth’s biosphere.
In recognition of his contributions to planetary geology, the minor planet 3640 Gostin (originally designated 1985 TR₃) was named in his honor. He is also a member of several scientific societies, including the International Astronomical Union, and has authored or co‑authored numerous peer‑reviewed articles on impact structures, sedimentary geology, and related topics.
Gostin’s career has spanned several decades, during which he has been involved in field investigations, teaching, and the mentorship of graduate students, contributing substantially to the understanding of impact processes and their geological signatures in Australia.