Tektite
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:NathanScientific&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="User:NathanScientific (page does not exist)">NathanScientific</a> (CC0)
Mineral NameTektite
Chemical FormulaPredominantly SiO2 (silica-rich natural glass)
Mohs Hardness5.5
Crystal Systemamorphous
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite to colorless
Cleavagenone
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.5
Colorsblack, dark brown, dark green, grayish-purple
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityAustralasian strewn field (e.g., Philippines, Indochina, Australia)
Mineral GroupNatural glass / Impactite
Usescollector, scientific study, jewelry
Rarityuncommon
Description
The image displays a magnified view of a Philippinite Tektite's surface, revealing a highly textured, bubbly, and pitted appearance with a dark, grayish-purple hue.
Geological Context
Tektites are natural glass objects formed from terrestrial material melted by hypervelocity meteorite impacts. This molten material is ejected into the atmosphere and solidifies during atmospheric re-entry, often developing characteristic aerodynamic shapes and surface textures.
