Unicamp-Led Breakthrough: Identifying Brazil's First Tektite Strewn Field

Researchers from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), Brazil's premier institution for geosciences, have made headlines with the discovery of 'geraisites,' the nation's inaugural tektite strewn field. This finding, published in the prestigious Geology journal, provides compelling evidence of a cosmic collision approximately 6.3 million years ago. Tektites—natural glasses forged under extreme conditions from meteorite impacts—mark this as a pivotal moment for Brazilian higher education research, elevating Unicamp's global profile in planetary geology.

The strewn field spans over 900 kilometers across Minas Gerais, Bahia, and Piauí, with more than 600 specimens collected. Led by senior professor Álvaro Penteado Crósta at Unicamp's Institute of Geosciences (IG-Unicamp), the team employed advanced geochemical and isotopic techniques to confirm the impact origin. This collaboration underscores Unicamp's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research with international partners.

Understanding Tektites: Natural Glasses Born from Cosmic Violence

Tektites represent a unique class of impact glasses, (full form: Terrestrial Ejected KTites, though commonly just tektites), produced when meteoroids slam into Earth at hypervelocities exceeding 11 kilometers per second. The intense heat—up to 20,000°C—vaporizes and melts surface rocks, ejecting molten droplets that solidify into aerodynamic shapes during atmospheric re-entry.

Prior to this discovery, only five major tektite fields were known worldwide: Australasian (largest, ~790,000 km²), Central European (moldavites), Ivory Coast (iventites), North American (bediasites), and Belize (pantasma tektites). Geraisites now comprise the sixth, highlighting Brazil's untapped geological archives. Specimens exhibit diverse morphologies: spherical, ellipsoidal, teardrop, discoidal, dumbbell, and twisted forms, weighing from under 1 gram to 85.4 grams, with longest axes up to 5 cm. Black and opaque externally, they reveal a translucent grayish-green hue under light, featuring characteristic gas bubble pits from rapid cooling.

The Hunt for Geraisites: Unicamp's Fieldwork in Minas Gerais

The journey began in northern Minas Gerais municipalities—Taiobeiras, Curral de Dentro, and São João do Paraíso—in a 90 km strip. Local enthusiasts and geologists alerted Crósta, whose decades of impact crater studies since 1978 primed him for recognition. Initial collections grew exponentially, incorporating sites in Bahia and Piauí, mirroring expansion patterns in other fields.

Unicamp's fieldwork exemplifies hands-on training for graduate students, integrating remote sensing, geological mapping, and citizen science. FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) funded expeditions via grants like 08/53588-7 for regional impact structures, bolstering Unicamp's research infrastructure. This approach not only yielded samples but trained the next generation in planetary defense and astrogeology.

Advanced Laboratory Analysis at Unicamp and Partners

At IG-Unicamp labs, samples underwent rigorous scrutiny. Geochemical assays revealed high silica (SiO₂: 70.3–73.7 wt%), alkalis (Na₂O + K₂O: 5.86–8.01 wt%), and trace elements like Cr (10–48 ppm), Ni (9–63 ppm). Rare lechatelierite (pure SiO₂ glass) inclusions evidenced temperatures over 1,700°C. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed low H₂O (71–107 ppm), distinguishing from volcanic obsidian (700+ ppm).

• Electron microprobe for major/trace elements.
• Scanning electron microscopy for textures.
• ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating yielding 6.78 ± 0.02 Ma, 6.40 ± 0.02 Ma, 6.33 ± 0.02 Ma—consistent single event.

Collaborators from Natural History Museum Vienna and Curtin University (Australia) provided expertise in tektite classification and geochronology, showcasing Unicamp's network.

Publication Milestone: 'Geraisite' in Geology Journal

The seminal paper, "Geraisite: The first tektite occurrence in Brazil" (DOI: 10.1130/G53805.1), appeared December 2025. Authored by Crósta et al., it details methodologies and comparisons, affirming geraisites as bona fide tektites. This peer-reviewed validation cements Unicamp's stature in high-impact publications, vital for faculty promotions and funding.

Brazilian higher ed benefits immensely; such outputs attract PhD candidates and postdocs, as seen in Unicamp's rising QS rankings for Earth Sciences.

Sourcing the Impact: São Francisco Craton Origins

Isotopic signatures (εNd +1.5 to +3.5; T_DM 2.4–2.7 Ga) link melt to Archean granites (3.0–3.3 Ga) in the São Francisco craton. No crater identified—common, as only three of six fields have sources (e.g., Chesapeake Bay for North American). Planned aeromagnetic/gravimetric surveys target submerged or eroded structures.

This pinpoints the epicenter, informing models of impact dynamics. Unicamp's computational geology group simulates ejection trajectories, training students in iSALE hydrocodes.

Implications for Planetary Science and Brazilian Higher Education

Geraisites fill voids in South America's sparse impact record (~9 structures, mostly Precambrian). They evidence Miocene bombardments, refining flux models. For Unicamp, it amplifies planetary defense research via Crósta's @defesaplanetaria initiative, educating on risks vs. myths.

Higher ed impacts: Boosts enrollment in geosciences; FAPESP grants sustain labs. Faculty roles in Earth Sciences surge, drawing global talent to Brazil.

International Collaboration Elevating Unicamp Research

Co-authors hail from Vienna's NHM (Ludovic Ferrière), Curtin (Fred Jourdan), UAE, and Brazil. This exemplifies Unicamp's Erasmus+ and CAPES partnerships, funding exchanges. Such ties yield joint grants, publications, enhancing CVs for academic careers.

Future Prospects: Crater Hunts and Student Opportunities

Next: Geophysical campaigns, numerical modeling. Unicamp invites postdocs via postdoc jobs. Undergrads join via PIBIC-FAPESP internships, gaining fieldwork skills.

Photo by Mara F on Unsplash

• Aerogeophysical surveys (2026).
• Hydrocode simulations for impact parameters.
• Public outreach via Unicamp museums.

Brazil's Rising Star in Impact Geology Research

This publication positions Unicamp—and Brazilian HE—as leaders. Explore university jobs in Brazil, rate professors, or career advice for geoscience paths. Engage below and stay informed on groundbreaking research.