What is the term for the thin, dark, glassy rind that forms on a meteorite's surface due to rapid melting during atmospheric passage?
Answer
Fusion crust
The fusion crust is one of the most reliable surface indicators that a rock has undergone the violent entry process. As the meteoroid plummets through the atmosphere at high velocity, friction generates intense heat, causing the outer layer of the rock to melt. This molten material quickly solidifies upon emerging from the hottest part of the atmospheric passage or upon impact, creating a characteristic thin, dark, and glassy rind. This crust is a direct result of atmospheric ablation and is typically dark brown or black in color when fresh.
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