Scientists have discovered a vast field of tektites in Brazil, confirming an extraterrestrial impact that occurred 6.3 million years ago.

Researchers in Brazil have identified evidence of a previously unknown extraterrestrial impact, which occurred about 6.3 million years ago. This discovery is based on hundreds of glassy fragments, called tektites, found in several Brazilian states, with an extensive field covering over 900 kilometers. These tektites, named 'geraisite', were initially discovered in Minas Gerais and join the five major known tektite fields worldwide. So far, researchers have collected over 600 specimens, which exhibit aerodynamic shapes and are rich in silica, with a low water content, suggesting an extraterrestrial origin. Although the impact has been confirmed, the associated crater has not yet been identified. Geochemical signatures indicate that the material comes from the ancient continental crust of the São Francisco craton. Future studies may help uncover buried circular structures, and researchers are developing models to estimate the parameters of the impact. This discovery expands knowledge about major impacts in South America and highlights the importance of distinguishing between scientific evidence and speculation.