Impactite identification and geology

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Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner

GeoMiner

Last updated

2026-03-30T14:39:22.930102+00:00

Review status

Published; not independently peer-reviewed

• Rocks — U.S. National Park Service. Authoritative overview of rock groups, the rock cycle, and geologic processes.
• Can you identify my rock or mineral? — U.S. Geological Survey. Identification limitations and routes to in-person professional verification.

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Common questions

What is Impactite?

Rock formed by the melting and resolidification of target rocks during a meteorite impact. Contains shocked minerals.

How can you identify Impactite?

Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records rock type: Impact Rock; texture: Glassy to crystalline; grain size: Variable; common minerals: Impact glass, Shocked quartz, High-pressure polymorphs, Ni-rich spinels. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.

How does Impactite form?

Forms from complete or partial melting of target rocks during hypervelocity meteorite impacts.

Where is Impactite commonly found?

Found at major impact structures worldwide; Sudbury, Vredefort, Chicxulub.

What is Impactite commonly confused with?

Impactite may be confused with Obsidian, Basalt glass, Suevite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.