Discrediting the late Eocene microspherule layer at Cynthia,Mississippi

Abstract— Glassy microspherules recently reported from the late Eocene of central Mississippi are physically and chemically similar to impact-produced microspherules, especially those from Molino de Cobo, Spain, leading several investigators to conclude that these samples document another late Eocene impact event. A careful evaluation of the sample site and spherule compositions, however, suggests that these glasses are modern contaminants. Similar contaminants could be widespread throughout industrialized countries.