KOFELSITE
Kofelsite (4.1 cm across) - kofelsites (also spelled ŅkoefelsitesÓ and
ŅkfelsitesÓ) have the appearance, texture, and feel of pumice. Samples
are often called "pumice of Kfels". They date to about 7815
B.C. (± 100 years) (near-earliest Holocene). The specific origin of
kofelsite rocks is uncertain & debated. The rocks are found in a
landslide deposit in western Austria. Researchers have suggested that the
landslide was impact-triggered. The kofelsite samples in the landslide
deposit thus may be impactites (fused rocks from the heat of
impact). Some workers have suggested that the rocks are frictionites
(fused rocks from landslide heating).
Locality:
Kfels Structure (apparent impact-generated landslide deposit & scar), just
east of the town of Kfels & just west of the town of Niederthai,
tz
Valley (
tztal), Tyrolia (Tirol Province), western Austria.