Impact crater

Impact crater is a circular depression on the surface of a planet, moon, or other solid body in the solar system, formed by the high-speed impact of a meteorite or other celestial body. Impact craters are among the most common topographic features on many solid bodies in the solar system and are of great interest to planetary geologists.

Formation

Impact craters are formed when a meteorite, comet, or asteroid collides with the surface of a planet or moon at high speed. This collision releases a large amount of energy, which vaporizes the meteorite and a portion of the surface, creating a shock wave that excavates a large amount of material, forming a crater.

Characteristics

Impact craters typically have a circular or elliptical shape, with a raised rim and a central peak or ring. The size and shape of the crater depend on the size, velocity, and angle of impact of the meteorite, as well as the geology of the impact site.

Classification

Impact craters can be classified into two main types: simple and complex. Simple craters are small, with a simple bowl shape. Complex craters are larger, with a central peak or ring and terraced walls.

Examples

Some well-known impact craters on Earth include the Barringer Crater in Arizona, the Chicxulub Crater in Mexico, and the Vredefort Crater in South Africa. On other planets and moons, notable impact craters include the Tycho Crater on the Moon, the Hellas Planitia on Mars, and the Caloris Basin on Mercury.

See also

• Meteorite
• Asteroid
• Comet
• Planetary geology
• Solar System

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  Iapetus as seen by the Cassini probe
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  Mare Orientale (Lunar Orbiter 4)
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  Fresh impact crater HiRise 2013
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  Barringer Crater aerial photo by USGS
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  Eugene Shoemaker
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  Nested Craters on Mars
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  Mimas moon
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  Conical mound in trough on Mars' north pole
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  Valhalla crater on Callisto
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  Crater structure
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  Wells creek shatter cones