Figure 11 | Scientific Reports

Figure 11

From: Evidence of Cosmic Impact at Abu Hureyra, Syria at the Younger Dryas Onset (~12.8 ka): High-temperature melting at >2200 °C

Figure 11

Different forms of iron in Abu Hureyra meltglass. (a) SEM image of melted 23-μm-wide magnetite grain embedded in the outer surface of AH glass. Note crust on grain formed from thermal and chemical alteration. The high degree of vesiculation suggests magnetite possibly boiled at ~2623 °C. (b) Single-element (Fe) EDS map with intensity scale showing the diffusion of Fe into the glass matrix. This map also reveals that Fe combined with S to produce iron sulfide, FeS (discussed below). (c) Single-element (Si) EDS map with intensity scale showing Si-rich composition of the AH glass matrix. (d) Single-element (S) EDS map with intensity scale indicating the location of troilite (FeS). (e) Irregularly shaped, 150-μm-wide Fe globule on the outside surface of AH glass, composed of highly reduced iron at 95.1 wt.% Fe and the remainder as oxygen. (f) Melted 27-μm-wide titano-magnetite grain on the outside surface of AH glass. The equilibrium melting point is 1625 °C. High vesiculation suggests titano-magnetite grain reached or exceeded its boiling point. All samples from level 445, sample E301, 405 cm depth.

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