Meteorite fusion crust, 4
A fusion crust is the most characteristic feature that distinguishes a meteorite from a plain old Earth rock. If a rock does not have a fusion crust and does not contain iron-nickel metal, then there is no reason to suspect that it is a meteorite, regardless of what other meteorite-like features it may have. |
![](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2019/10/chelyabinsk_1.jpg)
![](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2019/10/chelyabinsk_2.jpg)
![](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2019/10/DSCN0362.jpg)
![](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2019/10/DSCN0360.jpg)
![](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2020/01/wu_seminole-f_3119.jpg)
![](https://sites.wustl.edu/meteoritesite/files/2019/10/Plains_TX_pai_2x_1920r.jpg)
A fusion crust is the most characteristic feature that distinguishes a meteorite from a plain old Earth rock. If a rock does not have a fusion crust and does not contain iron-nickel metal, then there is no reason to suspect that it is a meteorite, regardless of what other meteorite-like features it may have. |