New Delhi, April 9: Nature is as beautiful as it is filled with mysteries. Located in Maharashtra, the Lonar Crater is a unique natural marvel on Earth. This crater was formed approximately 35,000 to 50,000 years ago due to a meteorite impact. Initially thought to be a volcanic crater, scientists later confirmed its origin as a result of a meteorite collision.
This is the only impact crater on basalt rocks in the world, making it significant for studying craters on the Moon and Mars. The Lonar Crater is situated near the village of Lonar in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra. It lies within the Deccan Plateau, where massive volcanic eruptions occurred 65 million years ago, creating the basalt rocks that dominate the area. British officer C.J.E. Alexander identified it in 1823, leading to a long-standing misconception that it was a volcanic crater. The presence of a natural glass called “maskelynite” in the 1970s proved that it was indeed formed by a high-velocity impact.
The Lonar Crater is not only a geological mystery but also a tourist attraction. Visitors enjoy the stunning beauty of this unique lake and crater. Scientists believe that Lonar can help us understand cosmic collisions and Earth’s history, with various space agencies actively researching it.
Maskelynite forms only during high-velocity impacts. The crater has an average diameter of about 1,830 meters (approximately 1.8 kilometers) and is around 150 meters deep. Its rim rises about 20 meters above the surrounding land. Inside the crater lies a saline and alkaline lake.
In 2004, a satellite from NASA captured images showing the lake appearing greenish-blue, surrounded by vegetation, fields, and settlements. One of the most intriguing aspects of the Lonar Crater is the changing color of its lake. In June 2020, the lake’s color suddenly shifted from green to pink or red.
Scientists collected samples and discovered that this change was due to microorganisms like haloarchaea thriving in the saline water. During hot and dry weather, the water level decreases, increasing salinity, which leads to the growth of these organisms and the production of pink hues. Similar phenomena occur in Australia’s Lake Hillier and Iran’s Lake Urmia. However, the color of the Lonar Lake is not constant; it changes with the seasons.
This crater is significant for scientists because it is formed on basalt rocks, resembling the surface of the Moon. Both NASA and Indian scientific institutions have conducted extensive research here. In recent years, the rising water levels in the lake have posed problems, affecting nearby ancient temples and disrupting the lake’s chemical balance.
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