What distinguishes a crater lake from other volcanic features?

A crater lake is characterized by being a body of water that accumulates within a caldera, which is a large depression formed after the collapse of a volcano following an eruption. The unique process involves a volcanic eruption depleting the magma chamber, leading to the ground above it collapsing. Over time, rainwater fills this depression, creating a lake. This formation process distinguishes crater lakes from other volcanic features, such as lava flows or volcanic cones, which do not involve the accumulation of water in the same way.

The other options do not accurately define crater lakes. For instance, mineral deposits may be found around volcanic areas but are not specific to crater lakes themselves. The first stage of a volcanic eruption refers to the buildup of pressure leading to an eruption, which is entirely different from the creation of a crater lake. Additionally, while wildlife may in fact stop at various geographical features, linking it to crater lakes does not define the geological or hydrological nature of such lakes, making it unrelated to their formation.