• Buy Meteorites
• Meteorites for Sale
• Large Selection 
• Great Prices and Great Selection
• Authenticity Guaranteed
• Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Your TRUSTED SOURCE SINCE 1997!
• Many more videos are available on our YouTube Channel.

Tektites: Natural Glass Formed by Meteorite Impacts

Tektites are fascinating natural glass objects formed by the intense heat and pressure of meteorite impacts on Earth. Found scattered across large regions of the planet, tektites provide valuable scientific evidence of ancient cosmic collisions and continue to intrigue geologists, astronomers, and collectors alike.

Tektites are silica-rich glassy rocks created when a large meteorite strikes Earth with extreme force. The impact melts terrestrial rocks instantly, ejecting molten material high into the atmosphere. As this material cools rapidly while flying through the air, it solidifies into glassy forms that later fall back to Earth.

Unlike volcanic glass (such as obsidian), tektites:

• Are formed by extraterrestrial impacts

• Contain very low water content

• Show aerodynamic shapes caused by high-speed flight

How Are Tektites Formed?

The formation of tektites occurs in several stages:

1. Meteorite Impact – A large asteroid or comet hits Earth at hypervelocity.

2. Melting & Ejection – Surface rocks melt and are blasted into the atmosphere.

3. Rapid Cooling – Molten material cools mid-flight, forming glass.

4. Deposition – Tektites fall over wide areas called strewn fields.

This process requires extreme conditions that cannot be replicated by normal geological activity.

Types of Tektites

Scientists classify tektites based on their location and formation characteristics.

Common Tektite Varieties

• Australites – Found in Australia; known for button-like shapes

• Indochinites – Southeast Asia; often irregular and pitted

• Moldavites – Green tektites from Central Europe

• Philippinites – Found in the Philippines

• Ivory Coast Tektites – Linked to the Bosumtwi crater in Ghana

Where Are Tektites Found?

Tektites are found in four major strewn fields:

• Australasian Strewn Field (largest and youngest)

• Central European Strewn Field

• North American Strewn Field

• Ivory Coast Strewn Field

Each field corresponds to a known or suspected impact crater, helping scientists date and reconstruct ancient events.

Scientific Importance of Tektites

Tektites are valuable to science because they:

• Provide evidence of past meteorite impacts

• Help date geological and climatic events

• Reveal information about Earth’s crust composition

• Offer insight into high-energy impact physics

Their chemical makeup confirms they originate from Earth materials, not from the meteorite itself.

Tektites vs. Meteorites

Although often confused, tektites and meteorites are different:

Are Tektites Rare?

Tektites are uncommon but not exceedingly rare, depending on location. Moldavites and well-shaped australites are particularly sought after by collectors due to their beauty and scientific significance.

Uses and Cultural Significance

Historically, tektites have been:

• Used as tools and ornaments

• Regarded as amulets or talismans

• Collected for scientific study and museums

Today, they are popular among fossil and meteorite collectors worldwide.

Conclusion

Tektites are remarkable natural records of catastrophic cosmic events that shaped Earth’s history. Combining geology, astronomy, and physics, these glassy relics continue to deepen our understanding of planetary impacts while captivating scientists and enthusiasts alike.

Buy Tektites from Prehistoric Fossils with Confidence.  Your TRUSTED SOURCE since 1997.  Authenticity Guaranteed.