Belizeite

Belizeites are rare tektites from Central America, found in Belize. Their origin is associated with an impact that created the Pantasma crater in present-day Nicaragua approximately 800,000 years ago. Terrestrial material melted during the impact was ejected into the atmosphere, and part of it landed approximately 530 km from the source crater in the area of present-day Belize.

Belizeites usually have a dark to almost black color, irregular shapes and a finely sculpted surface. Complete aerodynamic forms are relatively rare, and most finds have been preserved as smaller fragments.

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Origin of Belizeites and the Pantasma Crater

The Pantasma crater in northern Nicaragua is approximately 14 km in diameter. The matching age and chemical composition of glasses from Belize and material associated with the crater support a common origin. Belizeites therefore represent an exceptionally interesting example of tektites for which a probable source crater is known.

Research on belizeites has revealed properties typical of impact glasses and tektites, including very low water content, lechatelierite, schlieren and vesicles. The results also do not support an origin as ordinary volcanic glass.