We report microtektites recovered from a large area of the deep seafloor (Central Indian Ocean) that appear to have undergone aerodynamic distortion during re-entry into the atmosphere. Considering the geographic locations, stratigraphic position and chemical compositions these glassy forms belong to the Australasian tektite strewn field. The microtektites are elongated to lengths of cms, sometimes flattened, bent, folded and fused at both ends suggesting that this side could have been the Earth-facing side during the re-entry. The presence of flow lines and distortional features are indicative of high atmospheric pressures experienced by the microtektites. The location where these microtektites were recovered constitute distal ejecta, and the shape distortion, that occurred during re-entry of the ejecta, seems to have affected only a few amongst the extensive collection of microtektites. Most of the specimens contain lechatelierite inclusions and higher volatile oxides, which are indicative of incomplete homogenization after melting and lower temperatures of formation vis-à-vis other specimens at the same location. The element distribution patterns in aerodynamically distorted microtektites suggest that ablation was similar to normal spherical tektites in which volatile elements are preserved. In contrast, aerodynamically ablated forms of Australasian ejecta show skin melting where thin layers of the anterior portions of samples flow back giving rise to the familiar button shapes. Our observation of delicate, elongated, flattened, and viscously deformed specimens is perhaps the first to imply that at the distal end of ejecta, each spot in the specimens has undergone different levels of trajectories, heating and ablation. These investigations could have implications to understand ejecta emplacement characteristics on planetary surfaces that contain appreciable atmospheres such as Mars and Venus.

The occurrence of workable beach placer deposits of garnet and ilmenite along the coastal region of southern Tamil Nadu is known for long. Though the adjoining rivers like Kallar, Vaippar and Vembar are generally thought to be the major contributors of placer minerals, especially garnet, to their respective beaches, none of the river basins has yet been explored. The present paper discusses the distribution, resource potential and geomorphic controls of garnet placer in the Vaippar basin using ArcGIS. Analysis of sediment samples collected from the Vaippar River and its tributaries shows that the concentration of garnet is up to 20 wt.% and predominantly localized in river alluvium, coastal alluvium and pediment. A distribution map of garnet for the entire basin (5508 km$^2$) portrays three zones of enrichment: zone I: 0.06–1.0 million tonnes (Mt); zone II: 1.0–1.1 Mt; zone III: 1.1–1.21 Mt. It is estimated that in zone III (942 km$^2$) for every 100 km$^2$, about 17 km$^2$ area has an average garnet reserve of 1 Mt and this could be profitably mined.