The strange and fascinating world of the Lonar Crater

A large and strange lake sits in the Buldana district of Maharashtra. It is the ancient Lonar Crater Lake. The mystery and stories surrounding it draws visitors, even from other countries, though it’s not exactly what can be called a tourist spot. Lonar Crater has been mentioned in ancient puranas, and apparently Rama pointed it out to Sita while flying over it on the way back home from Sri Lanka. But it’s not mythology, it’s science that has made the Lake so famous, especially the way it was formed.  

How was the Lonar Crater Lake formed?  
The area surrounding the lake is made up of basalt rock. It is surrounded on all sides by a high ridge, sloping down evenly into a crater, at the base of which there is the lake. The aerial view of the lake is like a bowl with green liquid in it or a gash on the surface of the earth. That is what the crater is – a hole punched on the basalt rock – by a meteorite that crashed into Earth! Lonar Lake is listed as a national geological heritage site by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). Lonar Lake is among the world’s 5 largest craters and is the third largest saltwater lake in the world.  

When did the meteor hit Earth to form Lonar Crater Lake?  
Two geological dating systems were used to gauge the date of the lake’s formation. One method suggested it was formed 57,000 years ago, while another suggests 52,000 years. At any rate, it’s a truly ancient lake. There are 2 more craters in India, one in Dhala and one in Ramgarh, both formed in the same way.  

Why is the water of Lonar Crater Lake such a strange colour?  
Most visitors take the water to be dirty, but it’s actually quite clean. The bright green colour is the result of algae living in the lake. The water is saline and alkaline at the same time, with three small rivulets flowing into it from a fresh water well nearby, and no outlet. So, the only way water can go out is through evaporation, increasing the salinity of the water. This high PH value water supports some microbes found only in these strange waters.