Which term refers to sediment derived from extraterrestrial sources such as microtektites?

Which term refers to sediment derived from extraterrestrial sources such as microtektites?

• A. Neritic Sediment
• B. Cosmogenous Sediment
• C. Mineral
• D. Hydrogenous Sediment

Answer: (B)

Sediments are categorized by where their material comes from. Microtektites are tiny glassy particles formed by meteorite impacts and then deposited in the oceans. Because they originate outside Earth, they are classified as cosmogenous sediment—the extraterrestrial component of ocean floor material. Neritic sediment derives from land and coastal processes, hydrogenous sediment forms by chemical precipitation in seawater, and “mineral” is not a specific origin category. So cosmogenous sediment is the best fit for extraterrestrial-sourced material like microtektites.

Sediments are categorized by where their material comes from. Microtektites are tiny glassy particles formed by meteorite impacts and then deposited in the oceans. Because they originate outside Earth, they are classified as cosmogenous sediment—the extraterrestrial component of ocean floor material. Neritic sediment derives from land and coastal processes, hydrogenous sediment forms by chemical precipitation in seawater, and “mineral” is not a specific origin category. So cosmogenous sediment is the best fit for extraterrestrial-sourced material like microtektites.