1. General term for a circular, funnel-shaped depression, up to 1 km in diameter, produced by volcanic processes by which gases, tephra, and lava are or have been ejected. Several types are recognized: a crater at the summit of a volcanic cone marks the site of magma degassing and ejection of material; a maar, often occupied by a lake, results from explosive activity; and a caldera is a large volcanic depression greater than 1 km in diameter.
2. Near-circular depression produced by the impact of an extraterrestrial body, e.g. Meteor Crater, Arizona. Meteorite craters are formed by the explosion outward and upward of material compressed and heated strongly by the energy of impact, and so usually are circular at the time they form. They are characterized by topographically raised rims and by ejecta blankets which show inverted stratigraphy with respect to the target rocks. See also shatter cones.