Scientists have discovered mysterious glass fragments in southern Australia that are likely remnants of an asteroid impact from 11 million years ago.
Why it matters: This discovery suggests that Earth has experienced more asteroid impacts than previously known, raising new questions about future asteroid risks. Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing strategies to protect Earth from potential future collisions.
The details:
- The unique tektites, named ananguites, were identified from museum collections and confirmed through chemical analysis.
- These rare ananguites don’t match known impact events, adding to the mystery since the corresponding crater remains missing.
- The confirmed existence of ananguites offers a valuable insight into our planet’s history and the frequency of cosmic events.
Researchers analyzed impact-created “tektites” – naturally formed glasses created when meteorites crash into Earth, melting surface rock and throwing it in all directions.
What they’re saying:
- “This discovery helps us better grasp the history of asteroid impacts on Earth and assess future risks,” said Fred Jourdan, study co-author and geochemist from Curtin University in Australia.
Despite the significant evidence of an ancient impact, scientists have yet to locate the corresponding crater. Possible sites in the Philippines, Indonesia, and volcanically active Papua New Guinea could have masked or obliterated the crater over millions of years.
The big picture: The presence of tektites provides crucial insights into Earth’s impact history. Each tektite field represents a significant asteroid strike, helping researchers understand the frequency and scale of these events. This data is invaluable for assessing the ongoing risk of future asteroid impacts.
What’s next: Locating the crater is crucial for understanding the frequency and risks of large asteroid impacts on Earth. The discovery of this new Australian tektite field helps scientists develop better models for predicting and potentially mitigating future civilization-threatening strikes.