Crater: Meaning and Types

In the present era, crater is an attraction not only for the geologists or other earth scientists, but also it fascinates tourists. People visit such places for their refreshment. Craters specially filled with water, such as Lonar Lake in Maharashtra, crater lake in Idaho, USA, crater lake in New Zealand, attract people.

What does the Term Crater Define?

Crater on the earth is a bowl-shaped depression that found either at the place of volcanic eruption or the place where meteorite had fallen in the past. It is usually created by the powerful explosion of volcanoes or some other extremely powerful force that coming from the space. For example, Lonar Crater in Maharashtra, India, is created by the powerful force came from space in the form of meteorite; on the other hand, crater lake in Colorado, USA, is formed through volcanic eruption.

Formation of Crater

As discussed, the crater is formed, usually, by volcanic eruption or due to unexpected fall of meteorites or comets on the earth. When any such comet or meteorite, enters earth’s atmosphere and collide with solid earth’s surface, it releases tremendous amount of energy. And, the resulting energy generates, shockwaves, melting and vaporizing rocky and soil surface and eventually displaces a huge amount of materials from the affect areas that ultimately takes the form of a depression, which is known as crater. However, on the planet earth, craters are usually the product of volcanic eruption, whereas on the moon, craters are the product of meteorites fall. On moon, there are dozens of craters.

Types of Craters

Following are the major types of craters −

• Volcanic Crater − As name suggests, volcanic crater is formed by volcanic explosion. It is a bowl-shaped depression, usually located above the volcanic vent. During the volcanic eruption, large amount of magma and volcanic gases are released from inside earth (magma chamber) with high force. And, once the explosion is seized, it left a round shaped depression on the vent of volcano, which is known as crater.

• Explosion Crater − As name suggests, an explosion crater is formed because of explosion, which occasionally takes place near or below the earth’s surface. High pressure gas and shock waves create plastic deformation on the ground, usually in the form of depression, known as crater.

• Pit Crater − Also known as collapse crater or subsidence crater, pit crater is a depression on the earth’s surface. It is formed by either collapse or sink of the surface lying above a void or empty chamber. Such kind of depression usually can be seen in karst region.

• Impact Crater − This type of crater is formed through the collision of celestial bodies such as meteorites, asteroids, or comets. It is formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller body coming from space and colliding with planet’s surface forcefully.

Significance of Studying Craters

The study of craters is not only important for the understanding a geological structure, but also significant to understand the past activities on the planets. Study of craters helps earth scientists or other researchers to understand the geological history, surface composition, and age of planetary bodies. It also helps in determining the frequency of impact events and the potential hazards posed by space objects on the earth’s surface.

Moreover, as earth scientists continue to explore such activities and features happening and found respectively on the planet earth or other such celestial bodies; they collect more and more valuable information beneficial for the development of the nation. Besides, the invention and development of advanced instruments offer opportunities for in-depth crater studies. Probing the craters' depths, analyzing their composition, and understanding the processes involved will unlock further mysteries of our solar system's past and future.

Conclusion

Crater, which is a bowl-shaped depression on the planets’ surface, keeps enduring records of geological past and cosmic encounters, serving as the key elements in understanding the complex features of solar system’s evolution. Starting from its formation to the transformation in later age, it provides, resourceful information. All such geological structures ignite our imaginations and deepen our understanding of the solar system profoundly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a crater?

A crater is a bowl-shaped depression or hollow area on the surface of the earth as well as on other celestial bodies including earth’s satellite moon.

How are craters formed?

On the planet earth, craters are usually formed either through volcanic eruption/explosion or because of collision of cosmic projectiles materials coming from space, like meteoroids or asteroids. Any such object, when collides with the solid surface of planet earth, it creates depression, which ultimately forms crater.

What are the different types of craters?

Based on its origination or cause of formation, craters can be classified as impact craters, volcanic craters, pit craters, explosion craters, etc. Multi-ring basins are colossal craters with concentric rings formed by extremely powerful impacts.

What role do craters play in planetary science?

The study of craters is essential in planetary science as it provides relevant information about a celestial body's geological history, surface composition, and age. Furthermore, it also helps scientists understand the frequency of impact events in our solar system.

What do lunar craters reveal about the Moon's history?

It is interesting to know that the absence of atmosphere on the Moon, the tectonic activity has preserved countless impact craters, which provide valuable data about the history of impacts on the lunar surface and the early solar system.

Can craters be found on other planets and moons?

Definitely yes. Craters (specifically impact craters) are very common on other planets and moons with little to no atmosphere, which include Mercury, Mars, and some of Jupiter's moons. These craters are resourceful as they provide insights into the geological processes of these celestial bodies.

How do craters aid in understanding near-Earth objects?

The study of craters helps scientists to assess the potential hazards posed by near-Earth objects (NEOs), such as asteroids, meteorites, and comets. Understanding their impact frequency and effects is crucial for planetary defense.

What can we learn from future crater studies and space exploration?

This is important to understand that the future exploration missions to planetary bodies equipped with advanced instruments and technology, which are capable enough to provide deeper insights into crater formation, composition, and history, leading to a better understanding of our solar system's past and future.