180-gr. (6 3/8-ounce) WISCONSIN METEORITE Impactite

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About 500-million year ago, a very large extra-terrestrial object moving at hypersonic speed slammed into Earth about 92-km (55-miles) North of Madison, Wisconsin into the area now known as Northern Marquette County. The pressure of impact vaporized billions of tons of Earth material and left a meteorite impact crater estimated to have been between 4.8 to 13.0-miles (8.0 and 22.0-km) in diameter. The Glover Bluff impact site is among the least studied in the world, in great part because the uplifted central area has been actively quarried for decades to recover the dolomite that lies beneath the moraine left by retreating glaciers. Ironically, the quarrying process that initially uncovered the evidence of a meteoritic impact is systematically destroying that evidence in the order to produce valuable crushed dolomite. Such evidence of impact includes a central bulge, dipped strata, the presence of "shatter cones" (although rare), and, "impact breccia" such as this, a mixture of local or area rocks shattered by the impact that eventually became cemented together. A friend of mine from Australia calls this variety of impact breccia the most beautiful he has ever seen, and, many other collectors agree! This Ordovician impact breccia is a member of the Prairie du Chien Group of the Oneota Formation. Typically, the colors are mostly brick red or tan. The VERY best pieces, such as the one offered , include both colors with what appears to be evidence of melt or flow. This breccia contains many broken fragments or shards of quartzite and other rock. Some have jagged edges, some have somewhat-rounded edges, and others are nearly circular. These are reminiscent of similar shapes found in the impactite called Black Onaping suevite found at the Sudbury, Ontario, Canada impact crater. also perhaps are a few glass-rimmed fragments typically found in impact breccia suevite. When held up against a bright light source, some of the quartzite within this seven-mm (one-quarter-inch) thick slice shows CONSIDERABLE translucence. are two views, the first illuminated from behind, the second from above: Note the coin for scale, a US quarter, is about 2.4-cm in diameter. are two images of the other side: T are also what appear to be large swatches of breccia-in-breccia: This slice was cut off the same large chunk from which the eBay item #260042350437 was cut, so it resembles that gorgeous piece. Note the images show a shade greater contrast than the actual specimen. The material is very hard and will not be easily broken. It would polish beautifully. You could also dip it with clear plastic epoxy available at many hardware stores. Or, leave it "as is." The slice is roughly rectangular, approximately about 8.5-cm (3 3/8-inches) high and 11.5-cm (4½-inches) wide. It weighs 180-grams (6 3/8-ounces). The slice is actually prettier than what I've been able to capture This museum-quality specimen is roughly comes from one of at least two ACTIVE quarries in the United States that are known to contain remains of impact craters, and, the quarry is generally closed to visitors. I got the material in chunks from a professional geologist and had several slices made. They have been selling well on eBay, however, my supply is not endless, and, I do not know if I will be getting more of this very attractive material. That large meteorites have struck Earth and profoundly affected not only local Earth rocks but living plants and animals is something scientists have only recently begun to recognize. These are the perfect additions to any really good geology, fossil, meteorite, rock, or mineral collection! The shipping weight is one-pound. I will ship this within the United States via two to three-day delivery Priority Mail for $4.95. All shipping outside the U.S.A. is via Air Mail for a four to ten-day delivery. I will ship to Canada for $5.95, to Europe for $6.95, or to Japan or Australia for $7.95. Questions? Please send me email via eBay. Thank you! Please read my Feedback and see my ... read more

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