Australites are tektites, a natural glass created during a meteorite impact. Australites formed about 700,000-800,000 years ago when a massive meteorite impacted Earth. The impact glass was blasted high into the upper atmosphere, where it cooled and began its descent back to Earth. As the tektites re-entered our atmosphere, traveling at high velocity, aero-dynamic ablation occurred, causing the outer surface of the tektite to melt away, leaving the center intact. These small button-shaped Australites are the heart of Australian tektites.
Australites often have interesting oriented shapes and are the only tektite known to produce the rare flanged button shape.
Australites are believe to be related to the Indochinite meteor event, that created the largest tektite strewn field in the world, stretching from Southeast Asia throughout Australasia. The exact location of the impact site is still unknown but it's believed to be in Southeast Asia, possibly Cambodia.
Tektite: Australite
Classification: Tektite
Weight: 2.18g
Size: 15 x 13 x 8mm
Locality: South-Western Australia
Includes 1.25" Collectors box with specimen id label.
