{"product_id":"belizeite-18g-belize-be010","title":"Belizeite 1.8g – Belize - BE010","description":"\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLocation: Belize\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeight: 1.8g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDimensions: 1.8 x 1 x 0.9 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDETAILED DESCRIPTION\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eCentral American Tektites – Belizeites\nCentral American tektites, known as belizeites (or belizites), represent a specific group of glassy rocks formed by the impact of an extraterrestrial body. These tektites found in Belize primarily appear as small, slightly anisometric fragments, whose original shape is now virtually impossible to determine.\nOnly rarely can some pieces be interpreted as originally having had the shape of droplets or dumbbells, but completely preserved forms are almost absent among the finds. Sharp or slightly rounded edges of fracture surfaces are typical, indicating that the transport of these bodies after impact was very short.\nOrigin and structure of belizeites\nBelizeites are the result of common impact processes, where molten material was ejected into the atmosphere, shaped by rotation, and then fell back to Earth. Due to stresses and post-impact processes, most bodies fractured. Although a piece with a more pronounced shlieren structure, similar to the so-called Muong Nong type known from the Asia-Australia strewnfield, was described, it was not a classic example of this type because the characteristic layering was absent.\nSurface and appearance of Belize tektites\nThe surface of belizeites is usually finely pitted, and other types of surface texture are not present. Sometimes the surface is glossy, but more often slightly weathered, likely due to alteration or a short subfossil transport history. In appearance, Belize tektites most resemble African ivorites.\nSource crater of belizeites\nThe source crater of Central American belizeite tektites is likely the Pantasma circular structure in the Pantasma Valley in northern Nicaragua. This impact depression has a diameter of 14.5 km and is located about 540 km southeast of the tektite sites in Belize.\nResearch has confirmed the presence of typical impact markers such as glass with lechatelierite content, decomposed zircon, and chromium isotopes from ordinary chondrite. Furthermore, a match in the formation age of the glass from the Pantasma crater and the belizeites themselves has been confirmed, supporting the theory that this was the site of an extraterrestrial impact that ejected material into the atmosphere and then onto the Earth's surface.\nGeological research and field findings\nDirect field research for belizeites, for example, in gravel pits east of Spanish Lookout, has often been unsuccessful. An experienced geologist familiar with the area confirmed that no tektites were found in the gravel pits at that location.\nWhile it is not impossible for a piece to be found outside known sites in the future, the negative results from these locations indicate a limited transport range for these tektites — their relative fragility and small size likely did not allow for their preservation over longer distances.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"PeltramMinerals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58027934974277,"sku":"BE010","price":290.87,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0881\/1659\/2965\/files\/45935_photoroom-000-20250525-124357.jpg?v=1779378311","url":"https:\/\/moldavite.it\/en\/products\/belizeite-18g-belize-be010","provider":"Moldavite.it","version":"1.0","type":"link"}