thumb|An example of impactite on Earth (from [[Monturaqui impact crater, Chile)]]

Impactite is rock created or modified by one or more impacts of a meteorite. Impactites are considered metamorphic rock, because their source materials were modified by the heat and pressure of the impact. On Earth, impactites consist primarily of modified terrestrial material, sometimes with pieces of the original meteorite. Impactites are generally classified into three groups: shocked rocks, impact melt, and impact breccias. Sometimes, the cooled liquid does form a crystal structure. In that case, it would still be considered an impact melt, but not an impact glass.

Impact breccias

thumb|Impact breccia from the Kara impact structure in Russia

Breccia is "a rock consisting of angular fragments cemented together". An impact breccia is formed when a meteor shatters a rock and then cements it back together. Some breccias contain impact melts.

  • Charlevoix impact structure, Québec, Canada
  • Darwin Crater, Tasmania (source of Darwin glass)
  • Lake Lappajärvi, Finland (source of Kärnäite)
  • Manicouagan impact structure, Québec, Canada
  • Neugrund crater, Estonia
  • Nördlinger Ries crater, Germany
  • Rochechouart impact structure, France
  • Stac Fada Member, Scotland
  • Wabar craters, Saudi Arabia

See also

References

  • Meteorite crater glossary