Lonar Lake
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Overview
Lonar in Buldhana, Maharashtra, is a saline lake in a meteorite impact crater in basalt. It is a Ramsar site.
It is a crater lake in Buldhana district formed by a meteorite impact in basalt rock about 50,000 years ago or more.
Its water is both saline and alkaline, and it turned pink in 2020 because of algae and bacteria.
It was designated a Ramsar site in 2020.
The crater is about 1.8 km wide and about 150 m deep.
There are several ancient temples around the rim.
The lake is a wildlife sanctuary.
It is one of the few impact craters in basalt anywhere in the world.
Geography and key facts
- Buldhana, Maharashtra
- Impact crater
- Ramsar site
- Buldhana district
- Impact crater in basalt
- Ramsar site 2020
Why it matters for UPSC
Asked on lake origins.
Note for UPSC
Maharashtra; a saline lake in a meteorite impact crater in basalt. Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), Maharashtra.
Expect questions on the type of lake (lagoon, freshwater, saline), its state and any Ramsar status.
Asked in PYQs
No question in our Prelims bank names Lonar Lake yet.
Key facts
- Type
- Lake / lagoon · Ramsar site
- State / UT
- Maharashtra
- Coordinates
- 19.975°N, 76.507°E
19.975°N, 76.507°E
2 markers on the map
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Forests, Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs (map lesson)