Identification of the ejecta deposit formed by the Australasian Tektite Event at Huai Om, northeastern Thailand

• Published in: Meteoritics & planetary science 2022-10, Vol.57 (10), p.1879-1901
• Main Authors: Tada, Toshihiro, Tada, Ryuji, Carling, Paul A., Songtham, Wickanet, Chansom, Praphas, Kogure, Toshihiro, Chang, Yu, Tajika, Eiichi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ejecta; Electron microscopy; Grain size; Microscopy; Tektites
• ISSN: 1086-9379; 1945-5100
• DOI: 10.1111/maps.13908

The Australasian Tektite Event, approximately 0.8 Ma, is the youngest record of a large impact event on Earth. Although it is estimated that it occurred somewhere in Indochina based on the distribution of tektites, the crater has never been located. Here, we report the discovery and occurrence of shocked quartz with planar deformation features (PDFs) in the Quaternary depositional sequence at Huai Om in northeastern Thailand. Measurements of the orientation of lamellae using a universal stage microscope as well as observation using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were conducted to confirm the presence of PDFs. Together with the occurrence of in situ layered tektite fragments, we identify the depositional sequence as the ejecta deposit formed by the Australasian Tektite Event. We further describe the detailed lithostratigraphy of the ejecta deposit, which will allow the tracing of its distribution and lateral changes in its thickness, grain size, and grain composition. Further investigation of the lateral distribution of the ejecta deposit would provide information about the location, magnitude, and target rocks of the Australasian Tektite Event.