Meteorite Impact Spherule Bed Barberton South Africa - Riker Display

Barberton Meteorite Spherule Bed Ancient Impact Deposit

This remarkable specimen is a cut and polished slab from the Barberton Greenstone Belt of South Africa, representing one of Earth's oldest preserved meteorite impact layers. Known as Spherule Bed #2, this formation dates back approximately 3.26 billion years and captures the aftermath of a high-energy bolide impact during the Archean Eon.

Scientific and Educational Significance

Barberton Spherule Beds are studied globally as early geological records of asteroid bombardment, oceanic chemistry, and crustal development. This specific slab and its microscopic detail serve as visual proof of Earth’s dynamic early environment and may even hint at conditions that supported the earliest life.

Spherule bed two (S2), the source of this material, shows evidence of an impact within chert dikes, containing a mix of seafloor materials and barite. It also features significant iridium anomalies and extraterrestrial chromium components, similar to other spherule beds. The S2 material originates from the Fig Tree Group, Mapepe Formation.

What 50X Magnification Reveals:

A high-magnification (50X) image provides deeper insight into the microstructure of this spherule bed. At this scale, you’ll observe these types of features:

• Dark glassy spherule fragments—recrystallized from vaporized impact material
• Siliceous matrix—light-toned with subtle iron staining from post-depositional alteration
• Bright golden flecks—likely pyrite (FeS₂), typical of early Earth’s anoxic ocean chemistry
• Filament-like structures—possibly microbial or mineral in origin, preserved in chert

Specifications

• Riker case size: 8 1/4" X 6 1/4" X 7/8"
• Specimen size: 33mm H x 22mm W x 9mm D, Wt: 6.5 grams
• Disk size: 1 3/4" diameter X 1/2" D
• Note: Display stand and sizing cube not included.
• Image Artwork information: The display image depicts an interpretive monument marking a spherule bed along the Barberton Geological Trail – Makhonjwa Geotrail, South Africa. A meteorite fireball streaks across the sky in the background illustration, symbolizing the original meteorite impact that formed the spherule layer. Spherule Bed #2, from the Fig Tree Group, is shown in the inset with a real, flat polished sample embedded in the Riker display case. 

What's Included:

• Certificate of Authenticity, Legally Collected
• Information about the Barberton Meteorite Impact Spherule Bed #2, South Africa 

Display and Presentation

This item is professionally presented in an in-color in a Riker case. It is accompanied by a scientific label and is ideal for:

• Geology collectors
• Science educators and institutions
• Meteorite, Meteorite Impacts and early Earth Science enthusiasts

Terrific Impact Material for Your Collection 

The specimen is impact spherule bed from a large asteroid collision from the Archean Eon - preserved like no other site on Earth!

Explore one of Earth's earliest impact records, available exclusively at Sciencemall-USA.

Certificate of Authenticity, Tag and tag stand, Information about the Barberton Meteorite Impact Spherule Bed #2, South Africa