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Australite

Geoscience Australia

Geoscience Australia
Symonston, Australia

Ripple marks from remelting of glass as it re-entered the atmosphere.

Tektites found in Australia are known as Australites. It is believed they formed 790,000 years ago due to a major meteorite impact in Southern Laos.

The key feature of some Australites is their button-like shapes. When they re-entered the atmosphere, the bottom of the glass pieces started to melt, pressure pushed the molten material upwards during the descent and created a ripple effect on the sides.

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  • Title: Australite
  • Type: Rock
  • Rights: Geoscience Australia / CC-BY 4.0
Geoscience Australia

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