Darwin glass 1,1g – Queenstown, Tasmania
Locality: Queenstown, Tasmania
Weight: 1,1g
Dimensions: 1,6 x 0,9 x 0,8 cm
| Category: | Darwin glass |
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Darwin Glass – natural tektite from Tasmania
Darwin Glass is a natural glass that formed during a meteorite impact by melting the original surface rocks at the impact site. The locality of this rare glass covers an area of about 410 km² south of Queenstown on the west coast of Tasmania. Interestingly, within the Darwin Crater itself – the source of this glass – its occurrence is quite rare, and most finds come from the surrounding area.
Formation
Darwin Glass formed approximately 800,000 years ago during a meteorite impact that caused extreme heat and pressure. This process melted the surface rocks, which then rapidly solidified to create a glassy material.
Characteristics
Darwin Glass typically has a green, olive, or black color, with some specimens being translucent and others opaque. Similar to other tektites, Darwin Glass contains a high proportion of silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and various mineral inclusions depending on the composition of the original rock. It occurs in a variety of shapes and sizes, from small fragments to larger, distinctly shaped pieces.
Rarity and collector value
Darwin Glass is highly valued by collectors due to its rarity and limited occurrence.