Tektite

Tektite

Tektites (from greek tektos, molten) are up to a few centimeter sized objects of glass, which are formed by the impact of large meteorites on earths surface.

The impact melts material from earths surface and catapults it up to several hundred kilometers away from the impact site. The molten material cools and solidifies to glass. Although a meteorite impact causes the formation, the precursor material of tektites is of terrestrial origin. The color of tektites is black or olive-green and their shapes varies from rounded to irregular.

Because of the formation process, locations where tektite can be found are often associated with impact craters.

Weblinks

• http://www-pat.llnl.gov/tektite/
• http://webplaza.pt.lu/guyhein/