shatter cone

noun

, Geology.

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

shatter cone

/ shăt′ər /

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of shatter cone¹

First recorded in 1945–50