Where is Tektite found?
Natural glass (silica-rich)
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Open the appTektite occurs in specific geological environments. Knowing where to look, and in what kind of rock, is the difference between going home empty-handed and finding a great specimen.
Where to find Tektite
Australasian Strewn Field
Covers Southeast Asia, Australia, and Antarctica. Source of Indochinites, Philippinites, Australites, and Billitonites. Age: ~0.78 million years.
Central European Strewn Field
Primarily Czech Republic (Bohemia and Moravia) and Germany. Source of Moldavites. Age: ~14.7 million years.
North American Strewn Field
Southeastern United States (Georgia, Texas, Martha's Vineyard) and the Caribbean Sea. Source of Georgiaites and Bediasites. Age: ~35 million years.
Ivory Coast Strewn Field
West Africa (Ivory Coast, Ghana). Source of Ivorites. Age: ~1.07 million years.
Collecting tips
- Strewn Field Knowledge. Focus your search within known tektite strewn fields. Each field has distinct tektite types and ages.
- Surface Collection. Tektites are often found on the surface in areas of erosion or in shallow alluvial deposits, particularly after rain or disturbance of the soil.
- Distinguishing from Terrestrial Rocks. Look for the characteristic glassy texture, lack of crystal structure, and often aerodynamic shapes. Tektites are typically denser than common terrestrial rocks of similar size.
- Magnetism Test. While not magnetic themselves, some tektites may contain tiny inclusions of nickel-iron spherules from the impactor, which can be detected with a strong magnet. However, this is not a primary identification method.
Quick Check
- Color:
- Black, dark brown, dark green
- Luster:
- Vitreous (glassy)
- Streak:
- None (as it is glass)
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