Oblate impact spheroid (search on round impactite spheroids). In my encyclopedia of impact phenomena, I have so many of these I will have to start a new page, part 2 with this one as I have found the limit of web page size. They are the most posted impactite. It is one of many impact geometrics. This one is chert, but they come in most rock mineral types. The line are "false strata" in this case flow lines and it even has mosaic curvilinear crack lines. The iron on the surface is a common signature of impactites. These earth hitting meteors are so powerful the meteor iron is made into a plasma cloud and as a last step in impact rains down on the impactites. When magnified you can see the granular particle surface as the resolution of the photos is quite good. The configuration of these particles is called "Constellationing." The particles are the result of pulverization and sort to a common particle by distance. Keep in mind an impactite is a survivor rock and was far enough away to not be evaporated. The depth of this discovery indicates it could predate the Howell, TN Impact Structure which takes up all the lower counties of Middle, TN. Or it could have just been buried by the back rush of the sea 300 mya. There is a Silurian Impact exposure under the Howell Impact excavation. Magnification attached. So, let me take a moment to discuss concretion theory. First let me dispel grinding abrasion. This is not a Native American game ball its surface is irregular therefore not made by abrasion and they used round rock game balls. Precipitant chemistry - The production of precipitated silica starts with the reaction of a basic silicate solution with a mineral acid. Sulfuric acid and sodium silicate solutions are added simultaneously with agitation to water. The precipitate is small not big round balls and where does the Sulfuric Acid come from? Wouldn't a sea of sulfuric acid be toxic yet Middle, TN is full of sea creature fossils. 28 Feb. 2026. 
Patricia D Naumann ·

Hi all! A friend in heavy equipment found this while digging an 8 acre pond. It came from S. Central Tn. It is very heavy for its size. Pics dry and wet with measurements. He did some damage when the bucket of his backhoe hit it and trying to get it out of the ground. Was pretty deep. I have no idea what it is so I’ll consider just about anything right now. He calls it a UFO rock.