This Lake in India Changes Colours With the Seasons—Here’s Why

This Lake in India Changes Colours With the Seasons—Here’s Why (Image: Canva)

One of the most interesting natural phenomena in India is Lonar Lake, located in Maharashtra and the Buldhana district. It is a geological and ecological wonder that was formed through a meteorite collision over 52,000 years ago. The beauty of Lonar Lake is that it transforms its colour with the change in seasons, which attracts scientists, tourists, and nature enthusiasts.

This is the only known hyper-velocity impact crater in a basaltic rock located on the Earth, and it is a rare lake enclosed within a huge crater made of basaltic rocks. There are two different water areas: an outer neutral zone and an inner alkaline-saline zone. Such extreme conditions bring about the existence of rare microbial life, algae and mineral interactions that affect its changing colours.

The colour of the lake is usually greenish-blue or very bright pink. During summer, when the temperature is higher and the water level is lower, the salt and microorganism concentration is higher, leading to a pinkish hue. In cooler months or in the months after the monsoon, it is green or bluish through the dilution of water and by the alteration of the algal makeup. This change of natural colour resembles those which are observed in some of the world's saltwater lakes, but is very unusual in India.

Besides its impressive look, Lonar Lake has a deep historical and cultural background. The crater is surrounded by ancient temples built during the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta periods, which make the venue spiritual. These temples and the enigmatic origin of this lake render it a mixture of science, history and mythology.

The lake of Lonar is also the site of interest to extremophile microorganisms and planetary geology researchers. It has been studied by NASA and ISRO scientists to learn the way such similar environments could be found on other planets. Its shifting colours act as an experimental lab that is studied to determine the effects of climate, salinity changes, and microbial diversity.

A trip to Lonar Lake is a unique experience when you can walk along a meteorite crater that was formed many years ago, and observe a natural phenomenon, which varies with the season. It is a living demonstration of the processes which take place on our planet and the memory of how heavenly events form our planet.