Lonar Lake, also known as Lonar crater, is a unique, saline and alkaline lake located in Buldhana district,Maharashtra,India. It was formed by a meteorite impact around 52,000 years ago and is the only known impact crater in basaltic rock on Earth. The lake is a National Geo heritage site, a Ramsar wetland, and a wildlife sanctuary, making it a place of scientific, ecological, and historical importance.
As the lake is located in the Deccan plateau many scientists thought that the lake is a volcanic crater but later it was made clear that the lake is formed by a meteorite impact in the basaltic rock .
The lake has been studied by organizations like the Smithsonian Institution, United States Geological Survey, and the Geological Society of India, among others, due to its unique geological formation and microbial life. It is a popular tourist destination for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and those interested in its history and geology.
Features of the lake
- Alkaline and saline water
- Meteorite collision led formation of a crater
- The lake became a wildlife sanctuary in 2015.
- National Geo heritage site
- One of the hyper velocity impact craters in basaltic rocks .
- Mean diameter is about 1.2 kilometres
- Depth of 137 kilometres below the crater rim
- Declared as a Ramsar wetland on 22 July 2020
- Surface area of the lake is 1.13 km square .
Geological origin of the lonar crater / Geological Formation
The lake is located within the extraterrestrial impact crater within the Deccan plateau.The lake is a massive basaltic rock formation .It was initially thought as a volcano crater but now it is recognised as an impact crater, formed by the impact of a comet or an asteroid.
The fact that the lake is of impact origin was confirmed by the presence of certain minerals like the plagioclase . Also the presence of a shocked breccia , cones and non volcanic ejecta Bracket are also a confirmation that the lonar crater is an impact crater
The lake is oval in shape and the meteorite impact came from the east direction.
The lonar crater is divided into fives zones these are :
- The outermost ejecta blanket
- The crater rim
- The slopes of the crater
- The crater basin, excluding lake
- The crater lake
History
The lake has a mention in the skanda Purana and Padma Purana. The lake was a part of the Maurya and Satavahana empire.Several other rulers also ruled the area like the chalukyas and Rashtrakutas. The lake has several Yadava temples next to it.
Ambar lake
It is believed that a small fragment of the main meteor that had made the impact crater leading to formation of lonar Lake also led to Formation of the ambar lake by a small fragment of the main meteor. The Ambar lake is at a distance of 700 metres from the main Lake and has a Hanuman temple near it with a rock idol which is highly magnetic.The lake is known as Chhota lonar or little lonar.
Lake ecosystem
The lake has two distinct regions in terms of its chemical characteristics, specifically the pH.The two regions have different pH and do not mix.The outer region is neutral with a pH of seven while the inner region is alkaline with a pH of 11. Each of the region has its own flora and fauna
The lake is home to 160 birds,46 reptiles and 12 mammal species.The notable migratory birds being the teals , parakeets,larks and Robins.The monitor lizard is a prominent part of the lake ecosystem with chinkara,peafowls and. Gazelles.
Conclusion
Lonar Crater Lake in Maharashtra stands as an unparalleled confluence of geological marvel, ecological richness, historical depth, and cultural reverence. Carved by a meteorite into the basalt plains of the Deccan Plateau, it remains one of only four hyper-velocity impact craters known in basalt on Earth. Its saline–alkaline waters host extremophiles and diverse microbial life, offering invaluable insights for astrobiology and insights into ancient ecosystems.