Tektite Locations - courtesy University of TexasScientists theorize that tektites are formed by rapid heating and subsequent cooling of quartz-rich soils and rocks - large meteorite impacts provide enough energy to melt and disperse soils and rocks - forming tektites
Date: 07/16/2009
Scientists theorize that tektites are formed by rapid heating and subsequent cooling of quartz-rich soils and rocks - large meteorite impacts provide enough energy to melt and disperse soils and rocks - forming tektites
Chinese Tektite - 46.28 gramsOur sample is from the the Australasian strewn field - the largest of all of the strewnfields - covering an estimated 10% of the Earth’s surface
Date: 01/01/2000
Our sample is from the the Australasian strewn field - the largest of all of the strewnfields - covering an estimated 10% of the Earth’s surface
Chinese Tektite - 46.28 gramsThe exterior of our oval shaped specimen has a fantastic smooth, bubbled, and molten appearance!
Date: 01/01/2000
The exterior of our oval shaped specimen has a fantastic smooth, bubbled, and molten appearance!
Belgrade Museum SpecimenThis rounded tektite with a huge crater is on display at the Museum of rocks and minerals in the Facility of Mining and Geology in Belgrade
Date: 03/07/2010
This rounded tektite with a huge crater is on display at the Museum of rocks and minerals in the Facility of Mining and Geology in Belgrade
Chinese Tektite - 31.24The round shape is formed if heated material ejected from the impact was rotating on all three axes keeping the force distributed evenly
Date: 01/01/2000
The round shape is formed if heated material ejected from the impact was rotating on all three axes keeping the force distributed evenly
Chinese Tektite - 31.24The reverse side of our specimen has this perfect little crater!
Date: 01/01/2000
The reverse side of our specimen has this perfect little crater!
Dakhla Glass LocationsDakhla Glass was discovered by Maxine Kleindienst in 1987 at the Dakhla (Dakhleh) Oasis in Egypt - it has been found in four different locations
Date: 03/07/2010
Dakhla Glass was discovered by Maxine Kleindienst in 1987 at the Dakhla (Dakhleh) Oasis in Egypt - it has been found in four different locations
Dakhla Glass - 10.77 gramsA chemical analysis showed that the glass was created in temperatures so high that the meterial could only have been the result of an impact event - the samples also contain strands of molten quartz - a signature of meteorite impacts
Date: 03/07/2010
A chemical analysis showed that the glass was created in temperatures so high that the meterial could only have been the result of an impact event - the samples also contain strands of molten quartz - a signature of meteorite impacts
Dakhla Glass - 10.77 gramsOur amazing specimen also contains lechatelierite which is also restricted to only being contained in impact melt-bearing materials
Date: 03/07/2010
Our amazing specimen also contains lechatelierite which is also restricted to only being contained in impact melt-bearing materials
Flinders Ranges and Lake TorrensEdeowie Glass is only found between Flinders Ranges (in the middle) and the dry salt Lake Torrens (to the west) in Australia - Edeowie Glass is believed to have been created by an impact event
Date: 03/08/2010
Edeowie Glass is only found between Flinders Ranges (in the middle) and the dry salt Lake Torrens (to the west) in Australia - Edeowie Glass is believed to have been created by an impact event
Edeowie Glass - 21.55 gramsOur specimen is a slag-like, opaque glass found as a vesicular material or in thin masses in an area about 55 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide along the western side of the Flinders Ranges
Date: 01/01/2000
Our specimen is a slag-like, opaque glass found as a vesicular material or in thin masses in an area about 55 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide along the western side of the Flinders Ranges
Edeowie Glass - 21.55 gramsThe specimen displays shock metamorphism in the quartz which points to the thermal source as being an impact
Date: 01/01/2000
The specimen displays shock metamorphism in the quartz which points to the thermal source as being an impact
Lunar brecciaThis NASA moon rock is typical of most of the Apollo samples which were breccias - this really demonstrates how pervasive impacts have been throughout lunar history
Date: 03/07/2010
This NASA moon rock is typical of most of the Apollo samples which were breccias - this really demonstrates how pervasive impacts have been throughout lunar history
Château de RochechouartThis French Château is built from carved blocks of breccia generated during a meteorite impact - a number of different types of impact breccia are visible as different colors in the church facade
Date: 03/07/2010
This French Château is built from carved blocks of breccia generated during a meteorite impact - a number of different types of impact breccia are visible as different colors in the church facade
German Impact BrecciaOur specimen is a composite rock made by the solidification of a mix of irregularly sized and shaped heated rock pieces - it was formed by an impact event which first shattered and then welded the compacted pieces together
Date: 03/07/2010
Our specimen is a composite rock made by the solidification of a mix of irregularly sized and shaped heated rock pieces - it was formed by an impact event which first shattered and then welded the compacted pieces together
Henbury ImpactiteThe twelve Henbury craters are located in a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia 145 kilometres southwest of Alice Springs - image courtesy Michael Farmer
Date: 03/30/2010
The twelve Henbury craters are located in a protected area in the Northern Territory of Australia 145 kilometres southwest of Alice Springs - image courtesy Michael Farmer
Henbury Impactite - 2.81 gramsThe craters range from 7 to 180 metres in diameter and up to 15 metres in depth - they were formed when the Henbury meteor broke up before impact
Date: 03/30/2010
The craters range from 7 to 180 metres in diameter and up to 15 metres in depth - they were formed when the Henbury meteor broke up before impact
Henbury Impactite - 2.81 gramsOur impactite sample is an earth rock modified by the impact of a the meteorite - it is comprised of shock-metamorphosed material and melts - suevite
Date: 03/30/2010
Our impactite sample is an earth rock modified by the impact of a the meteorite - it is comprised of shock-metamorphosed material and melts - suevite
Tektite FormationIf heated material ejected from the impact was rotating and the centrifugal force was on two axes - it created an oval shape or with more speed it stretched into a dumbbell shape or even split into two tear-drops - courtesy tektites.co.uk
Date: 03/07/2010
If heated material ejected from the impact was rotating and the centrifugal force was on two axes - it created an oval shape or with more speed it stretched into a dumbbell shape or even split into two tear-drops - courtesy tektites.co.uk
Indochinite - 44.04 gramsThis collection piece is a good example of the dumbbell shape which results from the pulling effect of rotation on the heated material while it fell back to Earth
Date: 03/07/2010
This collection piece is a good example of the dumbbell shape which results from the pulling effect of rotation on the heated material while it fell back to Earth
Indochinite - 25.50 gramsThis collection peice is a good example of the tear-drop shape which results from the pulling effect and splitting of the heated material while it fell back to Earth
Date: 03/07/2010
This collection peice is a good example of the tear-drop shape which results from the pulling effect and splitting of the heated material while it fell back to Earth
Asteroid Impact Extinction?An asteroid is believed to have hit the Earth causing the extinction of the dinosaurs - the Cretaceous (K) was the last of the dinosaur bearing periods - the Tertiary (T) is the period we as humans live in today
Date: 02/28/2010
An asteroid is believed to have hit the Earth causing the extinction of the dinosaurs - the Cretaceous (K) was the last of the dinosaur bearing periods - the Tertiary (T) is the period we as humans live in today
Cretaceous (K) - Tertiary (T) BoundaryWhile at Berkeley in 1980 Luis and Walter Alvarez, Frank Asaro, and Helen Michel proposed a convincing theory for the K-T extinction - about 60% of all species that existed below the K-T boundary are not present above the line
Date: 02/28/2010
While at Berkeley in 1980 Luis and Walter Alvarez, Frank Asaro, and Helen Michel proposed a convincing theory for the K-T extinction - about 60% of all species that existed below the K-T boundary are not present above the line
K-T BoundaryThe thin K-T boundary layer of earth is marked by the presence of 31% iridium - an element that is rare on Earth - but is common in asteroids and meteorites - so scientists believe the iridium is evidence of a massive impact
Date: 02/28/2010
The thin K-T boundary layer of earth is marked by the presence of 31% iridium - an element that is rare on Earth - but is common in asteroids and meteorites - so scientists believe the iridium is evidence of a massive impact
Chicxulub CraterThe Chicxulub Crater which is located mostly underwater in the Yucatan part of Mexico is suspected of being the massive impact site which caused the K-T boundry event resulting in the mass extinctions of life at that time
Date: 02/28/2010
The Chicxulub Crater which is located mostly underwater in the Yucatan part of Mexico is suspected of being the massive impact site which caused the K-T boundry event resulting in the mass extinctions of life at that time
K-T Boundary MaterialWe have these interesting samples of K-T boundry material which is the focus of so much on-going research - these photos show the interior
Date: 02/28/2010
We have these interesting samples of K-T boundry material which is the focus of so much on-going research - these photos show the interior
K-T Boundary MaterialThese photos show the exterior of the material
Date: 02/28/2010
These photos show the exterior of the material
Lappajärvi Crater LocationLappajärvi is also municipality - it is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region
Date: 02/27/2010
Lappajärvi is also municipality - it is located in the province of Western Finland and is part of the Southern Ostrobothnia region
Lappajärvi CraterLappajärvi is also a lake in Finland - it spans the municipalities of Lappajärvi, Alajärvi and Vimpeli - it has formed in the 23 km-wide meteorite crater
Date: 02/27/2010
Lappajärvi is also a lake in Finland - it spans the municipalities of Lappajärvi, Alajärvi and Vimpeli - it has formed in the 23 km-wide meteorite crater
Lappajärvi Impact RockThe age of the crater is estimated to be 73.3 million years old
Date: 02/27/2010
The age of the crater is estimated to be 73.3 million years old
Map of a Libyan Glass discovery fieldTaken from a report to the British Museum written in 1934 by P.A. Clayton and L.J Spencer
Date: 07/16/2009
Taken from a report to the British Museum written in 1934 by P.A. Clayton and L.J Spencer
Libyan Glass - 23.27 gramsOur sample is almost pure silica - it came from the Sand Sea of the Libyan desert - found in an area about 130 by 53 kilometers
Date: 07/16/2009
Our sample is almost pure silica - it came from the Sand Sea of the Libyan desert - found in an area about 130 by 53 kilometers
Libyan Glass - 23.27 gramsThe composition and structure of our specimen is consistent with a hypothesis that the glass was formed from a meteorite which melted the desert dune sand and which then subsequently cooled for longer than 24 hours
Date: 07/16/2009
The composition and structure of our specimen is consistent with a hypothesis that the glass was formed from a meteorite which melted the desert dune sand and which then subsequently cooled for longer than 24 hours
King Tutanchamun PectoralThis priceless Egyptian artifact from King Tut's tomb features a scarab made from Libyan Desert Glass!
Date: 02/28/2010
This priceless Egyptian artifact from King Tut's tomb features a scarab made from Libyan Desert Glass!
Libyan GlassA few of our more clear specimens
Date: 02/28/2010
A few of our more clear specimens
Libyan GlassSome of our samples have a little bit of a milky-white appearance
Date: 02/28/2010
Some of our samples have a little bit of a milky-white appearance
Moldavite ExampleAn olive green or greenish vitreous material which was possibly formed by a meteorite impact - it is found near town of Moldauthein in the Czech Republic
Date: 07/16/2009
An olive green or greenish vitreous material which was possibly formed by a meteorite impact - it is found near town of Moldauthein in the Czech Republic
MoldaviteOur nicely translucent sample displays the pittings and wrinkles on the surface which resemble the characteristic markings on many meteorites
Date: 07/16/2009
Our nicely translucent sample displays the pittings and wrinkles on the surface which resemble the characteristic markings on many meteorites
MoldaviteThe total amount of Moldavite recovered to date is estimated at about 275 tons
Date: 07/16/2009
The total amount of Moldavite recovered to date is estimated at about 275 tons
Monturaqui CraterThis incredible photo of the crater - seen at the botton right of the picture - was taken by Haroldo Horta Tricallotis
Date: 02/27/2010
This incredible photo of the crater - seen at the botton right of the picture - was taken by Haroldo Horta Tricallotis
Monturaqui CraterThe crater is located south of the Salar de Atacama in the Antofagasta Region of Chile - the crater was discovered in 1962 in aerial photographs - erosion has been minimal due to the extreme arid conditions of the area
Date: 02/27/2010
The crater is located south of the Salar de Atacama in the Antofagasta Region of Chile - the crater was discovered in 1962 in aerial photographs - erosion has been minimal due to the extreme arid conditions of the area
Monturaqui ImpactiteThe crater is 460 meters in diameter and the age is estimated to be less than a million years - our impactite samples show the familiar jumble of lightweight material common to these specimens
Date: 02/27/2010
The crater is 460 meters in diameter and the age is estimated to be less than a million years - our impactite samples show the familiar jumble of lightweight material common to these specimens
Santa Fe Impact StructureThis structure is an eroded remnant of a bolide impact crater in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains northeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Date: 02/27/2010
This structure is an eroded remnant of a bolide impact crater in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains northeast of Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe Shatter ConeThe discovery was made in 2005 by a geologist who noticed shatter cones in the rocks in a decades-old road cut on New Mexico State Highway 475 between Santa Fe and Hyde Memorial State Park
Date: 01/01/2000
The discovery was made in 2005 by a geologist who noticed shatter cones in the rocks in a decades-old road cut on New Mexico State Highway 475 between Santa Fe and Hyde Memorial State Park
Santa Fe Shatter ConeShatter cones are a definitive indicator that the rocks had been exposed to a shock of pressures only possible in a meteor impact - current estimates place the age of the impact between 1.4 and 1.6 billion years old!
Date: 01/01/2000
Shatter cones are a definitive indicator that the rocks had been exposed to a shock of pressures only possible in a meteor impact - current estimates place the age of the impact between 1.4 and 1.6 billion years old!
Steinheim CraterLocated in Steinheim am Albuch, Heidenheim County, Baden-Württemberg, Germany - it is 3.8 kilometers in diameter and the age is estimated to be about 15 million years old - photo courtsy A. Brugger
Date: 02/27/2010
Located in Steinheim am Albuch, Heidenheim County, Baden-Württemberg, Germany - it is 3.8 kilometers in diameter and the age is estimated to be about 15 million years old - photo courtsy A. Brugger
Baden-Wurttemberg, GermanyThe crater is located at the northeastern end of the Swabian Alb near the much larger Nördlinger Ries crater and was most probably formed simultaneously by the impact of a double asteroid!
Date: 02/27/2010
The crater is located at the northeastern end of the Swabian Alb near the much larger Nördlinger Ries crater and was most probably formed simultaneously by the impact of a double asteroid!
Steinheim Shatter ConeShatter cones are conical fractures with typical parallel line markings created by shock waves - they are considered to be regular macroscopic shock inventory normally found in rocks of impact structures - our piece is a good example
Date: 01/01/2000
Shatter cones are conical fractures with typical parallel line markings created by shock waves - they are considered to be regular macroscopic shock inventory normally found in rocks of impact structures - our piece is a good example
Sudbury CraterThe eroded remains of a giant, 1.85-billion-year-old impact crater in Ontario, Canada
Date: 03/07/2010
The eroded remains of a giant, 1.85-billion-year-old impact crater in Ontario, Canada
Sudbury CraterSudbury is the large, elliptical structure - 60 x 30 kilometers - Wanapitei is the lake filled crater at upper right
Date: 03/07/2010
Sudbury is the large, elliptical structure - 60 x 30 kilometers - Wanapitei is the lake filled crater at upper right
Sudbury CraterGeneral geology map of the Sudbury crater
Date: 03/07/2010
General geology map of the Sudbury crater
Chalcopyrite - Copper-Nickel OreThe crater that the material came from measures 250 kilometers (about 150 miles)
Date: 03/07/2010
The crater that the material came from measures 250 kilometers (about 150 miles)
Chalcopyrite - Copper-Nickel OreA top down look at the material
Date: 03/07/2010
A top down look at the material
Ries CraterThe crater is located in Bayern, Germany
Date: 02/26/2010
The crater is located in Bayern, Germany
Ries Crater Geological MapA map showing the various geological rings that make up this famous, ancient crater formed about 14.5 million years ago
Date: 01/01/2000
A map showing the various geological rings that make up this famous, ancient crater formed about 14.5 million years ago
Suevite MaterialIn 1960 Eugene Shoemaker and Edward Chao proved that the Ries was caused by meteorite impact - the key evidence was the presence of coesite - shocked quartz - in the local Suevite material indicating high impact shock pressures
Date: 02/26/2010
In 1960 Eugene Shoemaker and Edward Chao proved that the Ries was caused by meteorite impact - the key evidence was the presence of coesite - shocked quartz - in the local Suevite material indicating high impact shock pressures
KazakhstanThe Zhamanshin crater is located in Kazakhstan and it is 14 kilometers in diameter - the age is estimated to be about 900,000 years
Date: 02/27/2010
The Zhamanshin crater is located in Kazakhstan and it is 14 kilometers in diameter - the age is estimated to be about 900,000 years
Zhamanshin CraterThis image from NASA of the Zhamanshin crater was generated from all non-thermal Landsat TM bands regrouped into Principal Components - it is probably the only way to see the actual outline
Date: 02/27/2010
This image from NASA of the Zhamanshin crater was generated from all non-thermal Landsat TM bands regrouped into Principal Components - it is probably the only way to see the actual outline
IrghiziteIrghizite material is an unusual tektite because they are usually found situated directly in meteorite crater - we have this small glass-like sample from the Zhamanshin crater
Date: 02/27/2010
Irghizite material is an unusual tektite because they are usually found situated directly in meteorite crater - we have this small glass-like sample from the Zhamanshin crater