Overview

• The peer-reviewed study identifies a distinct tektite group, named ananguites, from South Australia that is chemically and isotopically unlike Australasian tektites.
• The newly mapped strewn field spans roughly 560 miles (about 900 kilometers), implying a very large source crater that has yet to be located.
• Analyses show an unusually high sodium-to-potassium ratio, elevated nickel and chromium indicating meteoritic contamination, and isotopic signatures tied to younger volcanic rocks.
• Researchers re-examined thousands of South Australian Museum specimens, selected 417 anomalous pieces, and confirmed six with matching composition after tests conducted in France.
• The team highlights candidate source regions in volcanic arcs near Luzon, Sulawesi and the Bismarck area, and says the finding refines estimates of large-impact frequency relevant to planetary defense.