Thai Tektites,
6 messages in this thread
Hi, Adrian–
It is easy to figure how the NASA people might link tektites to the Moon, but
I wonder how they figure volcanism instead of a lunar impact? Just because
they found no crater? It seems any signs of impact in the tektites would
likely be obliterated if they are melted during re-entry into Earth's
atmosphere. And since volcanism on the moon is not clearly established (I
think; see my replies to Tom and Guy in this thread), I would think lunar
impacts would be the preferred explanation for Thai tektites.
–Doug
Hi everyone,
I started following this thread a little late so I probably should not add my
two cents worth but I can't help it <<G>>. Surely you don't suggest that the
moon is the source of tektites? Nearly all of the experts agree that the moon
is no longer considered the source for tektites. Except for just a handful who
won't give it up and don't seem to be listening to the known facts. The absence
of silica-rich lunar rocks effecticely rules out a suggested lunar origin for
these objects! These objects have an Earth origin. In some cases the parent
crater _is known_. An example of this is the moldavites recovered in Bohemia,
Czechoslovakia are most very likely from Ries Crater in southeastern Germany.
Tektites contain mostly terrestrial material, although some meteoritic spice
<<G>> is contain in just a few.
I am by no mean an expert of this subject but have read abundant books on the
subject of meteorites where tektites are given a few pages. It may be that the
source of some of the information on tektites you have read are old and there
fore out dated. I do know the widely held idea of the origin of tektites no
longer include the moon. Its your shot now <<G>>, go easy on me.
–AL
Hi, Al and folks–
Adrian was talking specifically about Thai tektites (and likely all of those
from southeast Asia); he mentioned hearing of a NASA study that related their
composition to moon rocks. _If_ that was a post-Apollo result (?), a lunar
origin for _some_ tektites would still seem to have merit.
How are asteroids as sources of silica? With a lunar impact, perhaps part of
the asteroid would mix with some of the moon rock and be ejected?
Lunar volcanism might be able to sort out a small amount of silica from moon
rocks generally poor in such, and preferentially throw the silica out of the
Moon's gravity, though this would seem to need more than just a little
outgassing. So where are the volcanoes? Could tidal stress really drive such
processes?
Might a major impact leave a magma reservoir and some true volcanism
afterwards? The lunar maria are examples of such a thing, though they are way
too old to explain tektites. I wonder if anyone has ever counted
craters-within-craters to see if there are more of them than impacts would
likely explain.
Anyway, I am just fooling around with ideas not to be taken too seriously; my
best guess is that some dealers find the old theories sell more tektites.
–Doug
Hi Doug and everyone,
Probably the most compelling evidence (and refutable) of an Earth source, is
the air bubbles that are found in tektites. These air bubbles are found in all
tektites and are sealed by the glassy material they are made of. Scientists
sampling these air bubbles find it samples the Earth's atmosphere. It is the
rare gasses of Argon 38 – 39 that carry the signature and imply tektites are
from impacts on Earth.
I'm not taking this too seriously either. I just would not want someone selling
me a Zagami (Mars Meteorite) when it was an ordinary meteorite.
I have sold a few tektites and I would say one in three people think these are
from the moon. I always tell them before selling them, that they are believed
to be from impact craters here on Earth. I do get a lot of disapointed people
that way. There still is a lot of mystery about these things. They still don't
fully understand the forces that generate tektites. Also don't get me wrong. I
am not implying anyone is misrepresenting tektites here. I believe we were
trying to unravel some of the mystery that still exists!
–AL
Hi, Al and folks–
Bubbles of Earth air are indeed troublesome for lunar-origin theories of
tektites. I wonder how possible it is that air bubbles would be inserted into
a lunar tektite during entry into Earth's atmosphere?
Old theories have a way of hanging around long after their demise. It is easy
to imagine a dealer who only sells tektites as one of many wares, and spends
only enough time to read an old book or label, or talk to someone who has read
that old book, passing along an older theory to a customer.
I would indeed be peeved at being handed an old theory presented as "fact" with
my specimens. But even assuming tektites are from Earth does not steal much of
their charm in my eyes, since they come from such spectacular impacts of
objects from outer space.
–Doug
Hi, Doug,
OK, so the moon theroy is a bit old hat, but in the Far East the people who
sell tektites sell them like hot cakes, to all sorts of people, health freaks,
new age whatevers etc. So I guess keeping the moon story going is good for
business, even though the evidence is very weak, as is clear from the replies.
By the way, when mentioned impact craters, I was reffering to Earth not Moon,
and the region being South East Asia.
I am only relaying hear say, so I wouldn't take it to seriously. I rekon the
Earth impact to be the best bet so far. I'm only a novice so I better to some
reading on this subject before further comment.
Adrian
P.S. Will post off all orders on my return to the UK in two days time