An impact crater is a depression or hole in the surface of a planet, moon, asteroid or other celestial body caused by the collision of an object (such as a meteorite) with that body. The force of the impact creates a shockwave which moves outward from the point of contact and causes the displacement of material from the area around the point of impact. This displaced material forms an embankment around the edge of the crater, while the central region is lowered below the surrounding terrain.
Impact craters can vary in size and depth depending on the mass and speed of the object that collided with the celestial body. Larger objects will create deeper and more extensive impact craters than smaller ones. The age of an impact crater can also be determined by studying its morphology, as well as any subsequent geological activity or erosion that may have altered its appearance over time.
Impact craters are important because they provide evidence for past collisions with celestial bodies and help scientists understand the history of our solar system. They can also be used to study the composition of other planets, moons and asteroids by analyzing the material that has been displaced during an impact event.