kráterei

Kráterei, the Hungarian term for craters, refers to circular or oval depressions on a solid surface that result from high-energy processes. They occur on the Moon, planets, asteroids, and Earth and range from small pits to large basins.

Craters form mainly through two processes: impact events and volcanic activity. Impact craters are produced when an incoming meteoroid or asteroid strikes a surface, excavating material and forming a transient crater that settles into a permanent rim. Volcanic craters arise from eruptive vents, collapse of volcanic edifices, or the formation of calderas after major eruptions.

Morphology varies with size and formation history. Simple craters are bowl-shaped; larger craters become complex with central peaks, terraced rims, and flat floors. Some craters display ejecta blankets, rays, or concentric rings.

Distribution and study: On airless bodies such as the Moon and Mercury, craters endure for long periods, preserving a record of bombardment. On Earth, atmospheric and geological processes erode or bury many features. Scientists use crater counting and morphology, along with radiometric dating, to infer surface ages and impact histories.

Notable examples include Tycho crater on the Moon, Barringer (Meteor) Crater in Arizona, and the Chicxulub crater in the Yucatán Peninsula, associated with the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.