Australian minitektites discovered in the Indian Ocean

Abstract

Large area sampling with a box core in the Indian Ocean has led to the discovery of minitektites (> 1-3.75 mm long) and a tektite fragment (approx 1.25 mm) occuring with microtektites belonging to the Australasian tektite strewn field. Minitektites and the microtektites are found to have similar major element compositions conforming to the Australasian tektite/microtektite chemistry. Earlier studies based on isotopic evidence, dating, and chemistry had provided evidence of a single large tektite strewn field; however, the physical association of tektites occurring with microtektites has been lacking. The present study provides such an association