Einschlagkratern

Einschlagkratern, or impact craters, are geological formations created by the high-velocity impact of a meteorite, asteroid, or comet onto the surface of a planet or moon. These celestial bodies strike with immense kinetic energy, excavating a bowl-shaped depression. The size and morphology of an impact crater depend on several factors, including the impactor's size, speed, and angle of entry, as well as the target material's properties and the gravitational field of the celestial body.

Upon impact, a shock wave propagates through the target material, causing fragmentation and melting. This results in the ejection of debris, known as ejecta, which can form rays or blankets around the crater. Simple craters are typically bowl-shaped with relatively smooth walls. As impactors increase in size, the craters become more complex, often developing a central peak or uplift due to rebound of the compressed crust, or even a ring structure.

Impact craters are common features throughout the solar system. While Earth's active geological processes like erosion, sedimentation, and plate tectonics can erase or obscure many craters, hundreds have been identified. Other celestial bodies, such as the Moon and Mercury, which lack significant atmospheres or geological activity, preserve a much more detailed record of past impacts. Studying these craters provides valuable insights into the history of bombardment in the solar system and the composition of impactors.