australite

geology

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

Australites are a type of tektite, which are natural glassy objects found on Earth's surface. Tektites are formed from terrestrial rocks melted by the high-energy impact of meteorites, comets, or asteroids. This molten material rapidly cools into glass before falling back to Earth.1

Australites are specifically found in Australia and are characterized by a lens-like shape with a flange around the edge. This unique form suggests they were once spheres that melted due to air friction upon entering Earth's atmosphere at high velocity. They are distinguished from other tektites by their composition, which is lower in water content than terrestrial volcanic glasses. Australites are part of the larger Australasian strewn-field, one of the most abundant sources of tektites globally.1

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tektite
Form and markings
Australites and related forms comprise about 10 percent of the tektites found in Australia. They show a characteristic lenslike form, with an attached flange around the edge (see Figure 3), the whole having the shape of a saucer of ice cream. Flanged australites have clearly…
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Australites and related forms comprise about 10 percent of the tektites found in Australia. They show a characteristic lenslike form, with an attached flange around the edge (see Figure 3), the whole having the shape of a saucer of ice cream. Flanged australites have clearly…
Read More