The article examines the meaning of the word "crater", talks about what craters are, and gives reasons for their occurrence.
Definition
We all heard a word like a crater. Most often it is used in relation to volcanoes, or rather their peaks, where craters form. But they are not only volcanic, we will analyze their species. To begin with, it’s worth understanding the origin of this word.
This word, like many other of those that we use in our time, has ancient roots. According to the encyclopedia, it is of ancient Greek origin. In Latin, it sounds like a crater, and in ancient Greek - κρατήρ.
It means a special form of relief on the surface of the earth or on top of a mountain. Also, analyzing the meaning of the word "crater", it is worth mentioning that they are not only on our planet. But first things first.
Volcano
As already mentioned, most often, referring to the crater, refer to its volcanic variety. This is a funnel-shaped depression on the top or slope of a volcanic cone. Size varies from a few tens to hundreds of meters, with the same depth. They are formed as a result of volcanic eruptions. At the bottom there is one or more vents through which lava and other eruption products enter the surface. So now we know the meaning of the word "crater".
Meteorites
Craters can also occur as a result of a fall of meteorites, such are called shock. After the collision and collapse of the meteorite body, deep craters remain in this place. Dozens of meteorites daily fall on our planet, but some of them burn out in the atmosphere, and the other is too small for the formation of craters. From ancient times to the present day, only a few large craters have survived, one of which, according to scientists, was left after a meteorite that killed dinosaurs.
Moon
There are also craters on the moon. Due to the lack of atmosphere, precipitation and strong tectonic changes, many craters have accumulated on the surface of our satellite, the largest of them can even be seen with the naked eye.
Explosion
After particularly powerful explosions, such as nuclear ones, deep craters also remain. Naturally, if the explosion was ground-based. But in the case of air blasting, the formation of funnels is also possible, it all depends on the height and power of the charge.
Conclusion
Thus, we figured out what a crater is. By the way, a crater in the same Ancient Greece called a special vessel for mixing drinking liquids.