Tektite

Definition

Tektites are natural glass objects formed by the impact of meteorites on the Earth's surface. They are typically small, rounded, and have a distinctive glassy appearance, often with a smooth, shiny surface. Tektites are closely related to the study of meteorites, as they are formed from the melting and rapid cooling of terrestrial materials during meteorite impact events. This connection to meteorites is the key context for understanding tektites within the chapter on '14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven'.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tektites are formed when the extreme heat and pressure of a meteorite impact causes the melting and rapid cooling of local terrestrial materials, such as soil, sand, or rock.
2. Tektites are typically found in distinct geographic regions called 'strewn fields', which are areas where the tektites have been scattered after the impact event.
3. The unique physical and chemical properties of tektites, such as their high silica content and lack of crystal structure, provide important clues about the conditions of their formation.
4. Studying the distribution and composition of tektites can help scientists understand the size, trajectory, and impact dynamics of the original meteorite that caused their formation.
5. Tektites are often used as natural 'time capsules', providing insights into the geological and environmental conditions that existed at the time of their formation.

Review Questions

• Explain the process by which tektites are formed and how this relates to meteorite impacts.
  • Tektites are formed when the extreme heat and pressure of a meteorite impact event causes the melting and rapid cooling of local terrestrial materials, such as soil, sand, or rock. The intense energy released during the impact event is sufficient to melt these materials, which then quickly solidify into the distinctive glassy, rounded tektites. This direct connection to meteorite impacts is the key reason why tektites are studied within the context of the chapter on '14.2 Meteorites: Stones from Heaven'.
• Describe the significance of tektite 'strewn fields' and how they provide information about the original meteorite impact.
  • Tektites are often found scattered over large geographic regions called 'strewn fields', which are areas where the tektites have been dispersed after the original meteorite impact event. The distribution and characteristics of these strewn fields can provide important clues about the size, trajectory, and impact dynamics of the original meteorite. By studying the spatial patterns and chemical compositions of tektites within a strewn field, scientists can gain valuable insights into the nature and effects of the meteorite impact that formed them.
• Analyze how the unique physical and chemical properties of tektites can be used to understand the conditions of their formation and the broader geological context of the meteorite impact event.
  • The distinctive physical and chemical properties of tektites, such as their high silica content, lack of crystal structure, and unusual textures, provide important evidence about the extreme conditions under which they were formed. By carefully analyzing the composition and structure of tektites, scientists can infer details about the temperature, pressure, and other environmental factors present during the meteorite impact event. This information can then be used to piece together a more comprehensive understanding of the geological and environmental context in which the impact occurred, including the size and composition of the original meteorite, the nature of the target materials, and the broader regional and global effects of the impact.

Related terms

Meteorite:

A piece of rock or metal from space that survives passage through the Earth's atmosphere and lands on the surface.

Impactite: A rock that has been altered by the impact of a meteorite or asteroid, such as by melting or shock metamorphism.

Strewn Field:

The area over which tektites or other impact-related materials are scattered after a meteorite impact event.