(30) Samples from Lonar Lake

Location: Lonar Lake, Maharashtra, India

Age: c 500 000 or 50 000 years ago

Composite: Stone, shell and water

Collected by: Jackal

According to legend Lonar lake was formed when…

According to scientific enquiry Lonar lake was formed when an asteroid slammed into Maharashtra either 50, 000 or 500,000 years ago (conflicting research in this mysterious place is common). Which ever version you prefer, this lake certainly exhibits supernatural qualities. Remarkable for chemists is that the highly alkaline pH level (11-13) is found alongside a very high salt density. A perfectly circular calandula surrounds the lake and unexpectedly rises above the paddy fields that mark the flat landscape of the region. Fresh water springs flow down to the lake creating multiple unique ecosystems before entering the poisonous water. Although many species of birds bath and busk here, yet fish do not live in this water. Plants decompose oddly and slowly, the lake’s depth is undetermined and sometimes, for reasons poorly understood the lake turns a bright pink hue. I can attest to the lake’s poisonous nature having personally suffered permanent (so far) damage to my foot due to the water of this lake.