Rampart craters on Earth

ABSTRACT Rampart craters are omnipresent features on volatile-rich solid planetary surfaces. This raises the question whether, and how many, rampart craters are present on Earth. We reviewed the terrestrial impact crater record with regard to possible rampart morphologies and present detailed morphological analyses of these terrestrial craters here. Our results show that the Ries crater in Germany, Bosumtwi crater in Ghana, Tenoumer crater in Mauritania, Lonar crater in India, and Meteor crater in the United States are terrestrial rampart craters. The Ries and Bosumtwi craters can be classified as double-layer ejecta (DLE) craters, whereas Tenoumer, Lonar, and Meteor craters can be classified as single-layer ejecta (SLE) craters. Tenoumer and Meteor craters show rampart as well as common lunar-like ejecta characteristics within their ejecta blankets and, thus, appear to be hybrid craters. In addition, we discuss seven crater structures that show at least some morphological or lithological peculiarities that could provide evidence for possible ejecta ramparts. Considering the low number of terrestrial impact craters with well-preserved ejecta blankets, the relatively high proportion of rampart craters is astonishing. Obviously, the formation of layered or rampart craters is a common and not a rare process on Earth.

Evaluation of Chemical, Antipsoriatic and Antiangiogenic Properties of Salt from Lonar Crater Lake Water

Lonar Crater lake was created by the impact of a massive meteor during the Pleistocene Epoch. Being a hypersaline and hyperalkaline soda lake, rich microbial diversity is reported earlier. Lonar lake water is used by local people and tribals against skin diseases. These observations prompted us to investigate the therapeutic potential of lake water against skin diseases. In this context, we have conducted pilot study to assess the antipsoriatic and antiangiogenic activity of the salt obtained from lake water using THP1 cell line by MTT assay and antiangiogenic activity by in vivo chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, as there is a close relation between psoriasis and angiogenesis. The results revealed that salt possess remarkable antipsoriatic and antiangiogenic activity.