In Katmai National Park, Alaska, lies a perfectly round crater that has left scientists baffled for decades. The Savonoski Crater, measuring 1,600 feet in diameter and 360 feet deep, is half-filled with water from rainfall and snowmelt. While its origin remains unknown, researchers have proposed two theories: a meteorite impact or a volcanic maar.
Impact craters are typically circular and deep, making the Savonoski Crater a strong candidate for such an event. However, extensive surveys in the 1960s and 1970s failed to find evidence of meteoritic material or shocked rocks within the crater, casting doubt on this theory. Similarly, no signs of a magma source beneath the hole were found.
Volcanic maars, on the other hand, are depressions formed by magma rising from deep within Earth’s crust. The resulting steam builds up pressure underground, triggering an explosion that fills the crater with groundwater. While this theory is plausible, there are no known volcanic landforms in the immediate vicinity of the Savonoski Crater.
A definitive explanation for the crater’s origin remains elusive, and scientists agree that further research is needed to uncover its secrets. The crater has undergone glaciation events since its formation, which may have erased evidence of its origin. Researchers suggest that drilling into the center of the crater could potentially reveal hidden clues about its origin.
Despite ongoing efforts to explain this geological anomaly, the Savonoski Crater remains an enigma, captivating scientists and visitors alike with its mysterious allure.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/planet-earth/geology/savonoski-crater-the-mysterious-perfectly-round-hole-in-alaska-that-scientists-cant-explain