shatter cone
nounGeology.
a small, radially striated rock structure produced by intense shock, such as generated by meteorite impact.
Origin of shatter cone
1First recorded in 1945–50
- Also called pressure cone.
Words Nearby shatter cone
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
Scientific definitions for shatter cone
shatter cone
[ shăt′ər ]
A fractured, conical fragment of rock that has striations radiating outward from the apex. Shatter cones are believed to form when rocks are subjected to shock waves associated with a meteoric impact. They are typically between a few centimeters and a few meters long.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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