TEKTITES Meaning and
Definition
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Tektites are geological glassy objects that are formed by the intense heating and melting of rocks during meteorite impacts. These objects are typically found in various shapes, ranging from droplet-like forms to irregular, disc-like shapes. Tektites are composed of predominantly silica, but they may also contain other elements like aluminum, magnesium, and iron.
The formation of tektites occurs when a meteorite strikes the Earth's surface at high velocities, creating an enormous amount of energy that melts rocks and ejects them into the atmosphere. As these molten material droplets cool and solidify while in flight, they eventually fall back to the Earth, resulting in the formation of tektites.
Tektites are often black or dark brown in color but can also display shades of green or gray. Due to their glassy nature, they feature smooth surfaces and can sometimes exhibit flow patterns and regmaglypts, which are small cavities formed during the flight and impact processes.
These enigmatic objects are dispersed over large areas called strewn fields and can be found on various continents, such as Australasia, Southeast Asia, and Central America. Tektites are valuable for scientific research as they provide insights into meteorite impacts, the processes of impact cratering, and the geological history of our planet. Additionally, tektites have fascinated humans for centuries and are also sought after by collectors due to their beautiful and unique appearance.
Common Misspellings for TEKTITES
Etymology of TEKTITES
The word "tektites" originated from the Greek word "tektos", meaning "molten" or "molten metal". It was derived from the verb "teko", which means "to melt" or "to smelt". The term was first introduced by Wilhelm Haidinger, an Austrian mineralogist, in 1847, to describe a type of naturally occurring glass that is believed to have been formed from intense high-velocity impacts, such as meteorite impacts. Tektites are typically glassy objects found on Earth's surface, and they are considered a type of natural impactite.
Similar spelling words for TEKTITES
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