Lonar lake

  • Lonar lake is the only known meteorite crater in basaltic rock and is world famous.
  • This lake, which lies in a basalt impact structure, is both saline and alkaline in nature.
  • The lake is a haven for a wide range of plant and animal life.
  • Resident and migratory birds such as black-winged stilts, brahminy ducks, grebes, shelducks (European migrants), shovellers, teals, herons, red-wattled lapwings, rollers or blue jays, baya weavers, parakeet hoopoes, larks, tailorbirds, magpies, robins and swallows are found on the lake.
  • Among reptiles, the monitor lizard is reported to be prominent.
  • The lake is also home to thousands of peafowls, chinkara and gazelles.
  • The area of 3.83Sq.km was declared as Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary by the government on 20 November 2015.
  • Lonar crater became a geo-heritage site in 1979.
  • It is relatively young geologically, at just 50,000 years old.
  • A meteorite estimated to weigh two-million-tonnes slammed into the Earth, creating a 1.83-km diameter crater where the lake formed.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top