Tswaing crater, Impact crater in northern Gauteng province, South Africa.
Tswaing crater is a circular depression in northern Gauteng with steep walls measuring around 1.1 kilometers across. The crater floor lies roughly 100 meters below the surface and contains a saline lake fed by rainwater and underground springs.
A meteorite struck this location roughly 220,000 years ago, leaving a deep scar in the ancient granite of the Bushveld Complex. The impact shaped the geology and created the conditions for salt deposits to form over time.
The name Tswaing comes from the Tswana word meaning "Place of Salt," and local people have gathered salt from the crater floor for centuries as part of their traditional practices.
A museum on-site offers information about the crater's geology and history, with walking paths available for exploration. Visitors should be prepared for uneven ground and wear comfortable shoes, as trails cover varying terrain.
The saline lake at the crater floor is highly alkaline and grows more concentrated through regular evaporation, promoting salt crystal formation. These chemical conditions support specialized plants and animals that have adapted to survive in the salty water.
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