Definition of impact crater

An impact crater is an impact-related, approximately circular depression with raised rims on the surface of a planet, moon, or other solid body in the Solar System or elsewhere, including the earth. They are formed by the hypervelocity impact of a smaller body like a meteorite. In contrast to volcanic caldera, which result from explosion or internal collapse, impact craters typically have floors that are lower in elevation than the surrounding terrain. The bedrock may have shatter cones, and impactites and meteorite fragments are sometimes scattered about.


Refs.:

Grieve, R.A.F.; Cintala, M.J.; Tagle, R. (2007). Planetary Impacts in Encyclopedia of the Solar System, 2nd ed., L-A. McFadden et al. Eds, p. 826.

http://passc.net/EarthImpactDatabase/New%20website_05-2018/Index.html (Earth Impact Database)

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_crater

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Impact_Database