RE: NANFA-- okeefenokee tektites

Denkhaus, Robert (DenkhaR_at_Ci.Fort-Worth.TX.US)
Thu, 4 Apr 2002 11:40:38 -0600

Casper said:

> another strewn field is in rob denkhaus's backyard TEXAS.
> they are known as
> bediasites for some odd reason. they are fairly common.
> tektites are of no real value...
>

While I haven't come across any bediasites, we do sometimes find some
interesting botanical/geological phenomena for which I don't have a name.
Mesquite trees, which are native to south TEXAS and were brought north by
the cattle drives, are frequently found in sandy soil areas and are evidence
of extreme overgrazing. The roots of these trees contain large amounts of
silica from the soil. When lightning strikes these trees it burns off the
plant tissues in the roots and fuses the silica which allows you to find
portions of the root systems which have been changed into gray glass-like
chunks. They are quite interesting looking. I found several that were
caused when a power line fell on a mesquite tree and caused the same result.

Rob Denkhaus
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge
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