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Khagol Vishwa, Pune
Lonar Meteoritic Impact Crater
Conservation and Research Program
Lonar crater is an impact crater Located in the Buldhana district of
Maharashtra State, India (19058'N, 76031'E). Lonar crater is an important
geological structure. This crater formed in basalt rock of the Deccan
plateau some 35 to 50 thousand years ago is only of its kind. Though now it
is declared as an impact crater, from 1823 when J. E. Alexander pointed out
the crater, for almost a century and half the exact type of its origin was a
debatable issue. Initially it was thought to be a volcanic crater. In fact
the famous geologist G.K. Gilbert in 1896 showed its similarity with the
Meteor crater (Barringer crater), Arizona.
Little Lonar or Amber Lake
There is a small circular depression, about 700 meters away from the rim of
Lonar crater closely resembling the main crater in its shape and
characteristics. This is known as the Little Lonar and is believed to have
originated from the impact of a smaller piece of the meteor which split from the
main body, before it hit the ground. The diameter of this crater is app. 340
meters and rises 6 meters above the ground level. This crater also has a lake,
fed by three streams which through the years have eroded the surrounding area
causing the exposure of basaltic breccia. You can find pieces of rock showing
typical shock metamorphosis caused by hypervelocity impact. Although no major
geological research work has so far been done to establish the meteoritic origin
of this depression, this evidences supports such a thesis and should be
considered as an integral part of the precincts of Lonar crater. In 1973,
Fredriksson suggested that Amber lake crater was formed by a fragment ejected
from Lonar crater, whereas S. Master who surveyed the Amber crater in 1999
concluded that it was not a secondary crater, but was formed at the same time as
the Lonar crater
Research on Lonar Crater
For over 6 years, Khagol Vishwa is doing research on Lonar Crater and
carrying a movement to protect this geographical and astronomical site. We have
recently published our report based on 6 years of observations and research. The
subjects that have been studied are..
- Geology and Structure of Lonar Crater.
- Ecology of Lonar: Flaura, Fauna, Agriculture, Zoology.
- Water
- Sociology
- Increase in water level problem
- Lonar Problems
If you'd like to participate in this research/study program, please contact
us.
Lonar Crater - History
It has history that dates back more than 50000 years, carved out when a
meteor struck it. Lonar lake, near Lonar village in the Buldhana District, is
not just a source of Excitement for the visitors but also for the scientist
community. Lonar is the third natural salt-water lake in the world, with a
diameter of 1800 meter. It comes after Bosmatvi Lake in Ghana, which has a
diameter of 10000 meter and New Cubec in Canada with a diameter of 3500 meter.
According to scientists, about 50000 year back a massive meteorite entered
into the Earth's gravitational forces range. 60 meter long and weighing 20 lac
ton it was racing at a speed of 25 kms. per second towards the planet. When it
struck the earth the energy released was equivalent to that released by
six-megaton atom bombs. The impact was so severe that rocks from all sides came
on the surface and reached the height of 20 meters. The impact was so severe
that it left a massive crater 170-meter deep and with 1800 meter in diameter.
Today it is natural salt-water lake.
Apart from its scientific importance, Lonar also occupies a place of
prominence in our ancient scripts. It finds mention in "Aaina-E-Akbari". During
the days of Emperor Akbar; a salt factory was located here. According to
Sanskrit Literature, Lonar was called "Viraj Kshetra" in ancient times. It finds
mention in "Viraj Mahatmya" a chapter in "Skanda Puran and Padma Puran" Sanskrit
works. According to Lonar Mahatmya, in ancient times, Kashyap Rishi had many
sons. One of whom was believed to be staying in the vicinity of Lonar Lake. When
Lavanasur terrorized the people and rulers of the region, the son of Rishi
Kashyap had prayed to Lord Vishnu to kill Lavanasur.
In the 13th Century, a temple of Lord Vishnu was constructed there during the
Chalukya Raj. The temple still exists and is 150mt long and 450 m. wide. It is a
fine example of the quality of architecture practiced and perfected during that
era. Near the Lonar Lake is the Paphareshwar pilgrimage. The engravings on the
temple located there are in Sanskrit and sadly they have still not been
deciphered. To add to its natural beauty the Lake has enough faunas in its
surroundings making it a serene and scenic spot.
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