The origin and source of tektites remains a mystery. In a historical context, the earliest theories surmised an artificial provenance. He deduced a volcanic origin. His opinion on tektite origins, however, held sway until the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, a multitude of other theories, including several extraterrestrial origin possibilities, have been advanced.
Current opinions favor a terrestrial impact related paradigm.
However, each proposed theory, while demonstrating evidence in its own favor, continues to frustratingly yield contradictory results favoring alternative origins. This statement is still valid almost a quarter of a century later. In relation to all other tektite groups, Libyan Desert Glass exhibits a noteworthy number of unique attributes. Libyan Desert Glass is classified as a Muong Nong type of tektite, i.e. broken chunks from a layered mass. Hand specimens of Libyan Desert Glass, when help up to the light, readily reveal the internal layering and stratification of included bubbles and smoky, dusky-brown curtains of fine particulate matter.