Abstract
Zircon, corundum, rutile, monazite and quartz (identified by x-ray diffraction) have been recovered from a Muong Nong-type indochinite. X-ray asterism studies indicate that all of the minerals are shocked. The tektite glass surrounding the rutile crystals is a dark brown color rather than yellow-green like the rest of the glass, indicating that the rutile was starting to melt. The corundum appears to be a decomposition product of one of the Al 2SiO 5 minerals (kyanite, sillimanite or andalusite). The presence of an Al 2SiO 5 mineral strongly suggests a metamorphic component in the tektite parent material. The presence of zircon, rutile, monazite, chromite and quartz as well as an unknown aluminum silicate mineral in this and another Muong Nong-type tektite indicates that the tektites were produced from a detrital sedimentary material. The presence of these minerals in Muong Nong-type tektites seems to strengthen the case for a terrestrial origin for tektites.
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