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shatter cone

noun

, Geology.
  1. a small, radially striated rock structure produced by intense shock, such as generated by meteorite impact.


shatter cone

/ shătər /

  1. A fractured, conical fragment of rock that has striations radiating outward from the apex. Shatter cones are believed to form when rocks are subjected to shock waves associated with a meteoric impact. They are typically between a few centimeters and a few meters long.


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Word History and Origins

Origin of shatter cone1

First recorded in 1945–50

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