Possible Tektite Source Craters
This page contains images of the possible source craters for tektites. Scientists have chosen these craters as the tektite source craters because of the similarity between the ages of their formation and the relative ages of tektites located near them. Additional chemical and isotropic similarities between rock found at crater sites and tektites found in nearby strewn fields help to strengthen these connections.
| Ries Crater
(Possible source crater for Czechoslovakian strewnfield.) |
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The Ries impact structure, southern Germany, does not show up well in space-based images. This panoramic oblique aerial view of the Ries Crater (from the southwest) shows the outline of the crater rim emphasized by clouds. Koeberl and Sharpton (2001) The Ries crater is believed to be the source crater of the Czechoslovakian strewn field on the basis of its proximity to the strewn field as well as similarities in chemical composition and age of formation between the crater and Moldavites. |
| Botsumtwi Crater
(Possible source crater for Ivory Coast strewn field.) |
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Located in Ghana, the Botsumtwi crater is roughly the same age and possesses similar chemical compositions to that of tektites located in the Ivory Coast and West Africa, as well as microtektites found off the coast of Africa. These similarities suggest that the crater is the most probable source for the Ivory Coast strewn field. |
| Chesapeake Bay Crater
(Possible source crater for North American strewn field.) |
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This crater underlies the Chesapeake Bay, located off the coast of Virginia. This crater is not visible using aerial or satellite imaging, therefore, this image is a picture of the extent of the crater below ground. The Chesapeake Bay crater was found by coring and the use of seismic reflection. The presence of microtektites and shocked quartz increases the possibility that this is the source crater for the North American strewn field.
(For more information on the Chesapeake Bay Crater please click on the link below.) |
NASA has a large amount of resources available on the topic of impact craters. For more information about terrestrial impact craters, including those seen above, please click on the link below.