Irgizite in box – Zhamanshin, Kazakhstan

Irgizite is a specific type of tektite that was formed by a meteorite impact in Kazakhstan. This special kind of natural glass is named after the place of its discovery, the area around the Irgiz River, near the famous impact crater Zhamanshin.

Origin

As a result of the meteorite's impact on the Earth's surface, extremely high temperatures and pressures occurred, which led to the melting and ejection of the Earth's rocks into the atmosphere, where they subsequently cooled rapidly and formed a glassy structure. A crater about 14 km in diameter and estimated to be about 900 000 years old was formed at the impact site.

Characteristics

Irgizites are often irregular in shape and have a characteristic glassy structure. They can vary in colour but are usually dark, ranging from black to dark brown or greenish. Irgizites, like other tektites, contain mainly silica, but their composition may also contain various trace elements.