What are tektites?
The term “Tektite” was first coined by F.E. Seuss, an Austrian geologist, in 1900, from the Greek word tektos meaning molten. They are found scattered about the surface of the Earth in many localities called “strewn fields.” Georgia tektites, or “Georgiaites,” are part of the North American strewn field. A tektite is a high-silica glassy object that can range in size from the microscopic to weights of many kilograms. They generally have aerodynamically formed shapes including the form of buttons, teardrops, and dumbbells. In some ways, tektites resemble obsidian glasses that are formed from volcanic activity here on earth. However, tektites are special in that they contain about 1000 times less water than obsidian, exhibit a low alkali content, and contain different types of iron and materials than normal terrestrial glass. There have been several theories as to the origin of tektites that range from: a glassy variety of meteorite, lunar volcanoes, meteoroid impacts on the moon, and la
The Terrestrial-Impact Theory – The terrestrial-impact theory states that when a meteorite smashed into the Earth, this violent impact melted material from the earths surface and also elements from itself. The materials then catapulted up into the atmosphere for hundreds of miles, flinging small, molten pieces over a large area. When the molten material cooled, it solidified into small, compact, glass-like objects of various sizes. Tektites cannot be found everywhere on the earths surface. They are only found in four strewnfields, three of which are associated with known impact craters. The Moon Origin Theory: – Some tektite researchers disagree with the popular terrestrial-impact theory. They suggest, instead, that tektites are more likely volcanic ejecta from the Moon. Tektites contain an extremely low amount of water, having an average water content of 0.005%. This is very unusual since the craters where tektites have formed are believed to have been under water before impact. Parti
The Terrestrial-Impact Theory – The terrestrial-impact theory states that when a meteorite smashed into the Earth, this violent impact melted material from the earths surface and also elements from itself. The materials then catapulted up into the atmosphere for hundreds of miles, flinging small, molten pieces over a large area. When the molten material cooled, it solidified into small, compact, glass-like objects of various sizes. Tektites cannot be found everywhere on the earths surface. They are only found in four strewnfields, three of which are associated with known impact craters. The Moon Origin Theory – Some tektite researchers disagree with the popular terrestrial-impact theory. They suggest, instead, that tektites are more likely volcanic ejecta from the Moon. Tektites contain an extremely low amount of water, having an average water content of 0.005%. This is very unusual since the craters where tektites have formed are believed to have been under water before impact. Partia
