Irgizite Impact Glass from Zhamanshin impact crater, Kazakhstan

Weight: .72 Grams

Measurements: 15.91mm x 9.48mm x 7.26mm

 

Location 48° 24'N, 60° 58'E

Diameter = 14 km, Age = 0.9 ± 0.1 Ma; exposed

The crater is located near Aktyubinsk, Kazakhstan

Irgizites are found at the 13.5 km-wide Zhamanshin crater. They contain coesite, stishovite, maskelynite and melted foamed silica. The Zhamanshin crater is estimated to have formed approximately 900,000 years ago.

The elements nickel, cobalt and chromium are found in Irgizites at levels significantly higher than local geological material, which, along with their shapes and internal structure, leads to the conclusion they were formed due to impact. As with all tektites, Irgizites have very low water content; thus called "dry glasses." Most Irgizites appear like broken strips of melted glass flow.