![\"Map](\"https:\/\/cdn.sci.news\/images\/enlarge13\/image_14225_1e-Ananguites.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nMap of the ananguites strewn field, based on the tektite locations. Image credit: Musolino et al., doi: 10.1016\/j.epsl.2025.119600.<\/p>\n
\u201cTektites are a specific type of impact-produced glass, defined in particular by their occurrence within large strewn fields lying at long distances from their source crater,\u201d said Curtin University\u2019s Professor Fred Jourdan and his colleagues.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly five different strewn fields are known: the four \u2018classic\u2019 ones known for nearly a century, from Central Europe (14 million years old), North America (35 million years old), Ivory Coast (1 million years old), and a large area spread from China to Australia (780,000 years old) and a more recently discovered strewn field in Central America (800,000 years old).\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe corresponding tektites are called moldavites, bediasites-georgiaites, ivorites, australasites, and belizites, respectively.\u201d<\/p>\n
The newly-discovered type of tektite, named ananguite, have so far been found exclusively in an area mainly within South Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinding a new tektite field is like opening a fresh chapter in Earth\u2019s violent geological past,\u201d Professor Jourdan said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese glasses are unique to Australia and have recorded an ancient impact event we did not even know about.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThese tiny pieces are like little time capsules from deep in our planet\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat makes the discovery even more intriguing is that, although the impact must have been immense, scientists are yet to locate the crater.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cUnderstanding when and how often large asteroids have struck Earth also helps us assess the risk of future impacts, which is important for planetary defense.\u201d<\/p>\n