Why in the News?

Recently, a team of scientists from Allahabad University and the University of Bern, Switzerland, made an intriguing discovery. They unveiled that the Dhala crater was formed by the impact of an exceedingly uncommon and ancient meteorite called Ureilite.

Key Facts About Ureilite:

• Ureilite is an extraordinary type of meteorite, characterized by its rarity, making up only a minuscule portion of the meteorites found on Earth.
• The name "Ureilite" originates from the location of its first discovery, the Novo Urei village in Russia.
• Composition:
• Ureilites are primarily composed of silicate rock, with olivine and pyroxene being the dominant minerals.
• They also contain a smaller fraction of carbon, which can be in the form of either diamond or graphite, along with metal sulphides and a few fine-grained silicates.
• Elongated cavities are commonly found, typically oriented in the same direction.
• Lack of Chondrules:
• Unlike many other stony meteorites, ureilites do not contain chondrules, which are small, spherical grains that formed in the early solar system.
• Primitive Nature:
• Ureilites are regarded as primitive meteorites because their composition closely resembles the material from which the solar system originated.
• Their unique characteristics offer valuable insights into the early stages of our cosmic environment.

About Dhala Crater:

• Dhala Crater holds significance as India's oldest and largest impact crater, with an estimated formation age of approximately 2500 million years.
• Named after the village Dhala, it remains an eroded remnant of the original impact structure.
• Situated in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, the crater boasts an impressive size, spanning a massive 11 km in diameter, making it the largest impact crater in Asia.