For faster navigation, this Iframe is preloading the Wikiwand page for Georgiaite.

Georgiaite

Georgiaite found in Dodge County, GA displaying olive green color.

Georgiaite is a rare form of tektite found only in the state of Georgia in the southeastern United States. These tektites are found in part of the North American strewn field coming from what is believed to be the Chesapeake Bay impact crater in the late Eocene epoch over 35 million years ago. Two strewn fields and tektite groups are currently associated with this impact: the black bediasites in Texas and the green georgiaites in Georgia.

Georgiaite has been found only in the eastern part of central Georgia with only between 1,000 and 2,500 known specimens as of 2018. They are most commonly found as splash-form tektites.[1]

Georgiaite found in Dodge County, GA showing round shape, pock marked surface, and translucence when held up to light.
Georgiaite found in Dodge County, GA showing round shape, pock marked surface, and olive green color.

Characteristics

[edit]

Georgiaite specimens that have been found typically have a round shape and pock marked surfaces caused from the extreme conditions of its formation. Georgiaite most commonly is translucent with an olive green color. The size of Georgiaite can vary but most samples collected average around 2 inches (51 mm) at most.[2] Georgiaite, like other tektites, are silicate glass and most closely resemble obsidian.[1][3] Unlike other North American tektites, Georgiaite contains silica and potassium while showing no traces of any other major elements.[4]

Locations

[edit]

Georgiaite has been confirmed to be found only in central and eastern counties in Georgia. The majority of all Georgiaite that has been collected has been from Bleckley County, Georgia and Dodge County, Georgia but other surrounding counties have also found samples in smaller quantities.[1][2]

Collections

[edit]

There are several known collections of Georgiaites used for educational purposes, geological study, and for the public to view. One such collection can be found at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C. There is also a large donated collection at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta, GA.[1][2][3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Roden, M.F.; Albin, E. (2018). "Georgiaites". New Georgia Encyclopedia. Georgia Humanities and University of Georgia Press. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  2. ^ a b c "Georgia Tektites Listing | Meteorite Association Of Georgia". www.meteoriteassociationofgeorgia.org. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
  3. ^ a b Albin, E.F.; Norman, M.D.; Roden, M. (2000). "Major and trace element compositions of georgiaites: Clues to the source of North American tektites". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 35 (4): 795–806. Bibcode:2000M&PS...35..795A. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2000.tb01463.x.
  4. ^ Albin, Edward Francis (September 1997). "Georgiaites: Tektite Geochemistry and Stratigraphic Occurrence in East-Central Georgia". Ph.D. Thesis: 1168. Bibcode:1997PhDT.........5A.


{{bottomLinkPreText}} {{bottomLinkText}}
Georgiaite
Listen to this article

This browser is not supported by Wikiwand :(
Wikiwand requires a browser with modern capabilities in order to provide you with the best reading experience.
Please download and use one of the following browsers:

This article was just edited, click to reload
This article has been deleted on Wikipedia (Why?)

Back to homepage

Please click Add in the dialog above
Please click Allow in the top-left corner,
then click Install Now in the dialog
Please click Open in the download dialog,
then click Install
Please click the "Downloads" icon in the Safari toolbar, open the first download in the list,
then click Install
{{::$root.activation.text}}

Install Wikiwand

Install on Chrome Install on Firefox
Don't forget to rate us

Tell your friends about Wikiwand!

Gmail Facebook Twitter Link

Enjoying Wikiwand?

Tell your friends and spread the love:
Share on Gmail Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Buffer

Our magic isn't perfect

You can help our automatic cover photo selection by reporting an unsuitable photo.

This photo is visually disturbing This photo is not a good choice

Thank you for helping!


Your input will affect cover photo selection, along with input from other users.

X

Get ready for Wikiwand 2.0 🎉! the new version arrives on September 1st! Don't want to wait?