Recently, scientists have found Tektite at Truc Lam Dao Nguyen Zen Monastery area, in Dak Song district. This is the only unique geosite of astroblem that has been established within the Dak Nong Geopark.

Tektite (derived from the Greek – "tektos" meaning "melted") is a type of natural glass formed from terrestrial debris ejected during meteorite impacts. It is of Astroblem heritage, according to UNESCO Global Indicative List of Geological Sites.

There are two different opinions of origin and formation mechanism explanation:

The first opinion: tektite is derived from the Earth, with the explanation that the meteorite from the universe fell down with great energy and crush into the Earth, terrestrial debris were melted and spit out hundreds of kilometers. Then those molten material cooled down, hardened into tektite. The scientific basis of this opinion is the similarity of chemical compositions between tektite and the composition of elements on Earth.

The second opinion: the tektite is derived from the cosmos, with the explanation that some meteorites from the universe fell into Earth's atmosphere due to gravity. They were got friction with atmosphere and fired/melted, then fell to the ground and formed tektite.

Tektite in Vietnam, aged about 0.75 Ma, usually has black color with variety of shape, such as: plate-form, sphere-form, bark-form and each variants, which were found in some provinces like Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Lam Dong... The weight of tektite is proportional to the size and usually depends on the shape of the grain.

On preparing for the dossier of Dak Nong Geopark as a candidate for UNESCO designation of a Global Geoaprk, the scientists have found 3 tektite specimens that are typical of Indochinit of the Asia - Australia tektite area (varies from 4 – 6 cm) at Truc Lam Dao Nguyen Zen Monastery. Those tektite specimens are black, brown with many rounded hollows and corrugates, glassy luster.

Besides, tektites were also discovered in some other places within the Dak Nong Geopark. However, it is quite hard for collection and conservation.

The finding of tektile within the Dak Nong Geopark opens a new scientific value this area. According to the experts' recommendations, Dak Nong province should invite scientists and institutes to operate an in-depth research on this unique cosmic heritage type, in order to increase the heritage diversity value of our land in the coming time.

Bach Van

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