tektite

American  

[tek-tahyt] / ˈtɛk taɪt /

noun

Geology.

1. any of several kinds of small glassy bodies, in various forms, occurring in Australia and elsewhere, now believed to have been produced by the impact of meteorites on the earth's surface.

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tektite British  

/ ˈtɛktaɪt /

noun

1. a small dark glassy object found in several areas around the world, thought to be a product of meteorite impact See also moldavite

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tektite Scientific  

/ tĕk′tīt′ /

1. Any of numerous dark-brown to green glassy objects, usually small (about the size of a walnut) and round with pitted surfaces. Tektites consist primarily (65% to 90%) of silica and have a very low water content. They are found in groups in several widely separated parts of the world and bear no relation to surrounding geologic formations. Some have shapes that show the kind of melting and deformation typical of objects that fall through the Earth's atmosphere. Tektites are believed to be of extraterrestrial origin or to have formed during high-velocity impacts on terrestrial rocks.

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Etymology

Origin of tektite

1920–25; < Greek tēkt ( ós ) molten + -ite ¹

Example Sentences

The discovery focuses on rare natural glass called tektites, which form when a meteorite hits Earth with enough force to melt the surface and fling molten material vast distances.

From Science Daily

Dr. Sieh and his colleagues began by studying data showing that Australasian tektites contain elements characteristic of the Laotian volcanic field.

From New York Times

Smaller particles lingered for longer periods, and glassy blobs known as tektites, formed when falling, molten rock cools, have been found across North America and dated to the Chicxulub impact.

From New York Times

Not only is zircon commonly found in tektites, but it is also a choice mineral for radiometric dating, thanks to some of its radioactive elemental components.

From Fox News

I took my friend at his suggestion to “examine and research” the teardrop-shaped stone and quickly realized that it is a very special type of rock, a tektite.

From Scientific American