Indochinite Tektite Genuine Space Rock from Australasian Strewn Field Authentic Impact Glass – Meteorite-Like Specimen with COA

Indochinite Tektite – Genuine Space Rock from the Australasian Strewn Field

This Indochinite Tektite is a genuine natural impact glass formed from one of the most powerful meteorite impacts ever recorded on Earth. Found within the Australasian Strewn Field, this specimen represents an extraordinary fusion of terrestrial and extraterrestrial materials, melted and ejected into the atmosphere around 790,000 years ago. The piece shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, with a scale cube equal to 1cm for accurate sizing reference.

These tektites are remnants of a cataclysmic event where a massive meteorite struck the Earth with immense energy, liquefying terrestrial rock and launching molten material high into the atmosphere. As it cooled while falling back to Earth, it solidified into the glossy, aerodynamic shapes we see today — nature’s own glass forged in the heat of cosmic impact.

Geological Origin and Strewn Field Formation

Indochinite tektites are part of the vast Australasian Tektite Strewn Field, which stretches across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and southern China. This enormous field covers over 10 million square kilometres, making it the largest and youngest known tektite field on Earth.

Geological studies suggest these specimens originated from a single meteorite impact, likely in what is now southern Laos or northern Cambodia. The tremendous explosion melted local surface rocks and ejected them thousands of kilometres into the atmosphere. As the molten material cooled during descent, it formed aerodynamic shapes such as tear-drops, discs, dumbbells, and spheres, depending on how they rotated and cooled mid-flight.

Scientific Classification and Composition

• Type: Natural Tektite (Impact Glass)

• Group: Australasian (Indochinite variety)

• Age: Approximately 0.79 million years (Pleistocene Epoch)

• Primary Composition: Silica glass (~70–80% SiO₂), with traces of aluminium, iron, magnesium, and calcium oxides

• Origin: Formed by the fusion of terrestrial material melted by a high-energy meteorite impact

Under magnification, Indochinite tektites often reveal a pitted or etched surface, the result of partial ablation as they travelled through the atmosphere. Many also exhibit flow lines and bubbles trapped within the glass, evidence of their rapid cooling and violent formation. These features distinguish true natural tektites from volcanic obsidian or synthetic glass.

Physical and Morphological Features

Indochinite tektites are typically deep black or dark brown in colour, with a distinctive vitreous to matte texture. The surfaces often display small aerodynamic sculpting caused by atmospheric melting, giving each specimen a unique shape. When held to bright light, many reveal subtle translucent brown or olive tones, confirming their natural silica-glass composition.

Their aerodynamic forms reflect their journey through the atmosphere — molten and spinning at thousands of kilometres per hour before cooling mid-air. This specimen shows the characteristic surface texturing and fusion sheen prized by collectors and geologists alike.

Scientific Importance and Collectability

Tektites like this Indochinite are invaluable to planetary science because they record evidence of high-velocity impacts and Earth’s interaction with extraterrestrial bodies. They provide clues about both the composition of the impacting meteorite and the terrestrial rocks melted during the collision. The widespread distribution of the Australasian field suggests an explosion equivalent to millions of megatons of TNT — one of the greatest impact events of the Quaternary period.

Because of their distinct formation, Indochinite tektites are highly sought after by meteorite and geology enthusiasts. While not classified as meteorites themselves, they are closely associated with meteorite impacts and are frequently referred to as “impactites” or “meteorite glass.”

Authenticity and Presentation

All of our specimens are 100% genuine and come with a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing their provenance and identification. The Indochinite Tektite pictured is the exact specimen you will receive, carefully photographed under natural light to highlight its form and texture. The scale cube equals 1cm, and full sizing can be viewed in the accompanying photo.

A True Piece of Cosmic History

Owning an Indochinite Tektite is to hold a tangible fragment of one of Earth’s most powerful cosmic encounters. Each specimen is a relic of fiery transformation — a union of terrestrial rock and extraterrestrial force. Whether you are a collector, educator, or lover of natural history, this remarkable space rock is both a scientific marvel and a captivating natural sculpture, forged in the unimaginable heat of a meteorite impact.