Tektites Glass/Melts Ejected From Terrestrial Meteorite Impact Sites

Position Description: Tektites are natural glass particles formed during meteorite impacts on Earth’s crust. Due to the extreme conditions created by hypervelocity meteorite impacts, target rocks can be either melted, vaporized, or both and then ejected from the impact site. During their flight of such material through the atmosphere, rapid cooling forms tektites, falling to Earth hundreds to thousands of kilometers away from the impact site. They range in size from millimeters (microtektites) to centimeters. Tektites may be similar to some terrestrial volcanic glasses but there are well established both chemical and physical characteristics to distinguish them from volcanic glasses.

In this project, we will compile chemical and physical data on tektites to define a better basis for future tektite studies and compare their compositions and morphologies from other terrestrial and extraterrestrial impact-related materials. Project activities may also encompass organizing micrometeorite/cosmic spherule images in the literature by texture and morphology, compiling papers, and helping mount samples for analysis. 

Project Dates: July 1-26, 2024

Number of Available Positions: 2

Location: In-person or remote

Pay Rate: $1000 stipend at completion of program

Qualifications/Requirements:

• No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary

• Computer and internet connection is required

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) welcomes everyone and aims for a diverse and inclusive community. Preference will be given to freshman and sophomore students, but we encourage all interested students to apply. Students who are already working with members of the EPS community and non-Harvard students are not eligible for this position.