| Abstract: | Abstract— The grain size distribution and shapes of lechatelierite inclusions (silica glass inclusions) have been determined from 20 splash-form tektites from the Khorat Plateau, northeastern Thailand. The chemical and petrographic properties are reviewed, and the absence of any type of inclusion other than bubbles is confirmed. These data suggest that the parent material for the lechatelierite inclusions is not the conventional detrital quartz. One possible precursor is silica of plant origin in the form of biogenic opal-CT. According to this model, the lechatelierite inclusions are formed by shock melting of opal phytoliths in plants. These opal phytolith melts were included in the shock-melted soil and bedrock, jetted from the impact site. The expansion of the vapor plume ejected the melt droplets in ballistic trajectories. This model is extended to all tektite groups, because of the similarity between lechatelierite inclusions in them. |
