Impactite

Part of Hall of Meteorites.

D.3.3.1. Cooking with limestone hero.jpg

Cooking with limestone

Some of the Kaibab limestone that melted during the Meteor Crater impact mixed with solid rock and bits of meteorite. It then solidified in midair, landing as "impactites." The heated limestone released carbon dioxide gas, leaving behind porous calcium oxide. Limestone cooked in a kiln undergoes this same reaction.