Spherical, magnetic grains of extraterrestrial origin, isolated from Pacific sediments

The aim of this study was to determine the existence of cosmic spherules in oceanic sediments. Two cores recovered from the Clarion-Clipperton fault zone (northeastern Pacific Basin) contain magnetic spherules of extraterrestrial origin. Their chemical compositions and morphological features show the degree of heterogeneity of cosmic material reaching the earth’s surface. The diverse origins of spherules from the Pacific Ocean explains their diverse composition and does not allow for the classification of the material into a single group. In addition, the time interval over which sediments accumulated extends for an estimated period of approximately 200 000 years to the present.