Source: https://www.tektites.info/physical-properties
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 03:54:51+00:00

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In this section we study the physical properties of tektites. This includes things like colour, size, specific gravity, bubbles, etc. If you are familiar with the properties of tektites then it is easier to differentiate tektites from other rocks. One of the commonest questions is about what colour tektites are and why? So, this is where we will start in this section.
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Most tektites contain bubbles and there is some degree of predictability about the bubble arrangement. Proximal tektites, formed from the lowest temperature, highest viscosity melt, are the most bubble-rich of the tektite groups. By measuring the specific gravity of a tektite you can get a pretty accurate idea of bubble content. X-rays will reveal the bubbles.
In transmitted light tektites vary from a yellowish green to various shades of green to brownish-olive-coffee colours with a greenish tinge. A greenish hue is often indicative of tektites whereas grey or lavander colours or brownish-grey colours are typical of terrestrial obsidian.

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