Kaali is a group of nine meteoritecraters in the village of Kaali on the Estonian island of Saaremaa.[1] Most recent estimates put its formation shortly after 1530–1450 BC (3237+/-10 14C yr BP).[2] It was created by an impact event and is one of the few impact events that has occurred in a populated area (other ones are: Henbury craters and Carancas crater).
The main crater is nearly circular. When the water level is low, rocks can be seen penetrating the surface: in the middle of the crater.
Tilted dolomite bedrock in the walls of the main crater
Before the 1930s there were several hypotheses about the origin of the crater, including theories involving vulcanism and karst processes. Its meteoritic origins were first conclusively demonstrated by Ivan Reinvald[3] in 1928, 1933 and 1937.
The impact is thought to have happened in the Holocene period, around 3,500 years ago.[4] The estimates of the age of the Kaali impact structure (Saaremaa Island, Estonia) provided by different authors vary by as much as 6,000 years, ranging from ~6,400 to ~400 years before current era (BCE). Analysis of silicate spherules in Estonian bogs show that the possible age of the impact craters could be approximately 7,600 years.[5] A study based on elevated iridium signal in a nearby bog suggested the much younger age of 4th century BC.[6] The craters were formed by a meteor with an estimated impact velocity of between 36,000 and 72,000 km/h (22,000 and 45,000 mph) with a total mass of between 20 and 80 metric tonnes. According to some researchers the meteor arrived from the north-east.[7]
At an altitude of five to ten km (20,000 to 30,000 ft), the meteor broke into pieces and fell to the Earth in fragments, the greatest of which produced a crater with a diameter of 110 m (360 ft) and a depth of 22 m (72 ft). The explosion removed approximately 81,000 m3 (2,900,000 cu ft) of dolomite and other rocks and formed a 7 to 8 km (20,000 to 30,000 ft) tall, extremely hot gas flow. Vegetation was incinerated up to 6 km (3.7 mi) from the impact site.[7]
Kaali Lake (Estonian: Kaali järv) is on the bottom of this crater. Eight smaller craters are also associated with this bombardment. Their diameters range from 12 to 40 m (39 to 131 ft) and their respective depths vary from one to four metres (3.3 to 13.1 ft). They are all within one kilometre (0.62 mi) of the main crater.
Effects
According to the theory of more recent impact, Estonia at the time of impact was in the Nordic Bronze Age and the site was forested with a small human population. The impact energy of about 80 TJ (20 kilotons of TNT) is comparable with that of the Hiroshima bomb blast. It incinerated forests within a six km (3.7 mi) radius.[8]
In mythology
Scholars, such as Karl Kello,[9] maintain that the event figured prominently in regional mythology. It was, and still is, considered a sacred lake. There is archaeological evidence[clarification needed] that it may well have been a place of ritual sacrifice. At some point during the early Iron Age, the lake was surrounded by a stone wall 470 m (1,540 ft) long, with a median width of about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) and an average height of 2.0 m (6.6 ft).[citation needed]
Finnish mythology has stories that may originate with the formation of Kaali. One of them is in runes 47, 48 and 49 of the Kalevala epic: Louhi, the evil wizard, steals the Sun and fire from people, causing total darkness. Ukko, the god of the sky, orders a new Sun to be made from a spark. The virgin of the air starts to make a new Sun, but the spark drops from the sky and hits the ground. This spark goes to an "Aluen" or "Kalevan"[10] lake and causes its water to rise. Finnish heroes see the ball of fire falling somewhere "behind the Neva river" (the direction of Estonia from Karelia). The heroes head in that direction to seek fire, and they finally gather flames from a forest fire.
According to a theory first proposed by Lennart Meri, it is possible that Saaremaa was the legendary Thule island, first mentioned by ancient Greek geographer Pytheas, whereas the name "Thule" could have been connected to the Finnic word tule ("(of) fire") and the folklore of Estonia, which depicts the birth of the crater lake in Kaali. Kaali was considered the place where "The sun went to rest."[10]
The main crater
Namesake
The asteroid 4227 Kaali is named after it (except for their names, there is no connection between this asteroid and the crater).
^Losiak, A.; Wild, E. M.; Geppert, W. D.; Huber, M. S.; Jõeleht, A.; Kriiska, A.; Kulkov, A.; Paavel, K.; Pirkovic, I. (2016-04-01). "Dating a small impact crater: An age of Kaali crater (Estonia) based on charcoal emplaced within proximal ejecta". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 51 (4): 681–695. Bibcode:2016M&PS...51..681L. doi:10.1111/maps.12616. ISSN 1945-5100.
^Bianca Mikovitš. Teadlaste töö tulemus Kaali kraatri vanuse määramisel ühtib vana regilauluga Maaleht, January 26, 2016
^Raukas, A.; et al. (1995). "On the age of the meteorite craters at Kaali (Saaremaa Island, Estonia)". Proceedings of Estonian Academy of Sciences, Geology 44:177–183.
^Veski, Siim; Heinsalu, Atko; Kirsimäe, Kalle; Poska, Anneli; Saarse, Leili (2001-10-01). "Ecological catastrophe in connection with the impact of the Kaali meteorite about 800–400 B.C. on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 36 (10): 1367–1375. Bibcode:2001M&PS...36.1367V. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2001.tb01830.x. ISSN 1945-5100.
^Siim Veski; Atko Heinsalu; Kalle Kirsimäe; Anneli Poska; Leili Saarse (2001). "Ecological catastrophe in connection with the impact of the Kaali meteorite about 800–400 BC on the island of Saaremaa, Estonia" (PDF). Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 36 (3): 1367–1375. Bibcode:2001M&PS...36.1367V. doi:10.1111/j.1945-5100.2001.tb01830.x.
^Kello, Karl. (2005). The pharaoh of the north. [Tallinn]: Tallinna Raamatutrükikoda. ISBN9949-13-080-8. OCLC 162329217.
Tiirmaa, R. (1992). "Kaali Craters of Estonia and Their Meteoritic Material". Meteoritics. 27 (3): 297. Bibcode:1992Metic..27Q.297T.
Anto Raukas; J.-M. Punning; T. Moora; Ü. Kestlane; A. Kraut (2005). The Structure and Age of the Kaali Main Crater, Island of Saaremaa, Estonia. Impact Studies. pp. 341–355. doi:10.1007/3-540-27548-7_13. ISBN978-3-540-24181-2.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaali crater.
About Kaali crater on the official Saaremaa website
Photos of the Kaali crater
Impact tectonics
Interactive panoramic aerial view of the Kaali crater area
kaali, crater, kaali, group, nine, meteorite, craters, village, kaali, estonian, island, saaremaa, most, recent, estimates, formation, shortly, after, 1530, 1450, 3237, created, impact, event, impact, events, that, occurred, populated, area, other, ones, henbu. Kaali is a group of nine meteorite craters in the village of Kaali on the Estonian island of Saaremaa 1 Most recent estimates put its formation shortly after 1530 1450 BC 3237 10 14C yr BP 2 It was created by an impact event and is one of the few impact events that has occurred in a populated area other ones are Henbury craters and Carancas crater Kaali craterKaali craterImpact location in EstoniaImpact crater structureConfidenceConfirmedDiameter110 m 360 ft Age3237 10 14C yr BPLocationCoordinates58 22 22 N 22 40 10 E 58 37278 N 22 66944 E 58 37278 22 66944CountryEstoniaThe crater as viewed from near the rim The main crater is nearly circular When the water level is low rocks can be seen penetrating the surface in the middle of the crater Tilted dolomite bedrock in the walls of the main crater Before the 1930s there were several hypotheses about the origin of the crater including theories involving vulcanism and karst processes Its meteoritic origins were first conclusively demonstrated by Ivan Reinvald 3 in 1928 1933 and 1937 Contents 1 Formation 2 Effects 3 In mythology 4 Namesake 5 References 6 External linksFormation EditThe impact is thought to have happened in the Holocene period around 3 500 years ago 4 The estimates of the age of the Kaali impact structure Saaremaa Island Estonia provided by different authors vary by as much as 6 000 years ranging from 6 400 to 400 years before current era BCE Analysis of silicate spherules in Estonian bogs show that the possible age of the impact craters could be approximately 7 600 years 5 A study based on elevated iridium signal in a nearby bog suggested the much younger age of 4th century BC 6 The craters were formed by a meteor with an estimated impact velocity of between 36 000 and 72 000 km h 22 000 and 45 000 mph with a total mass of between 20 and 80 metric tonnes According to some researchers the meteor arrived from the north east 7 At an altitude of five to ten km 20 000 to 30 000 ft the meteor broke into pieces and fell to the Earth in fragments the greatest of which produced a crater with a diameter of 110 m 360 ft and a depth of 22 m 72 ft The explosion removed approximately 81 000 m3 2 900 000 cu ft of dolomite and other rocks and formed a 7 to 8 km 20 000 to 30 000 ft tall extremely hot gas flow Vegetation was incinerated up to 6 km 3 7 mi from the impact site 7 Kaali Lake Estonian Kaali jarv is on the bottom of this crater Eight smaller craters are also associated with this bombardment Their diameters range from 12 to 40 m 39 to 131 ft and their respective depths vary from one to four metres 3 3 to 13 1 ft They are all within one kilometre 0 62 mi of the main crater Effects EditAccording to the theory of more recent impact Estonia at the time of impact was in the Nordic Bronze Age and the site was forested with a small human population The impact energy of about 80 TJ 20 kilotons of TNT is comparable with that of the Hiroshima bomb blast It incinerated forests within a six km 3 7 mi radius 8 In mythology EditScholars such as Karl Kello 9 maintain that the event figured prominently in regional mythology It was and still is considered a sacred lake There is archaeological evidence clarification needed that it may well have been a place of ritual sacrifice At some point during the early Iron Age the lake was surrounded by a stone wall 470 m 1 540 ft long with a median width of about 2 5 m 8 2 ft and an average height of 2 0 m 6 6 ft citation needed Finnish mythology has stories that may originate with the formation of Kaali One of them is in runes 47 48 and 49 of the Kalevala epic Louhi the evil wizard steals the Sun and fire from people causing total darkness Ukko the god of the sky orders a new Sun to be made from a spark The virgin of the air starts to make a new Sun but the spark drops from the sky and hits the ground This spark goes to an Aluen or Kalevan 10 lake and causes its water to rise Finnish heroes see the ball of fire falling somewhere behind the Neva river the direction of Estonia from Karelia The heroes head in that direction to seek fire and they finally gather flames from a forest fire According to a theory first proposed by Lennart Meri it is possible that Saaremaa was the legendary Thule island first mentioned by ancient Greek geographer Pytheas whereas the name Thule could have been connected to the Finnic word tule of fire and the folklore of Estonia which depicts the birth of the crater lake in Kaali Kaali was considered the place where The sun went to rest 10 The main craterNamesake EditThe asteroid 4227 Kaali is named after it except for their names there is no connection between this asteroid and the crater References Edit Kaalijarv Earth Impact Database Planetary and Space Science Centre University of New Brunswick Fredericton Retrieved 2008 12 30 Losiak A Wild E M Geppert W D Huber M S Joeleht A Kriiska A Kulkov A Paavel K Pirkovic I 2016 04 01 Dating a small impact crater An age of Kaali crater Estonia based on charcoal emplaced within proximal ejecta Meteoritics amp Planetary Science 51 4 681 695 Bibcode 2016M amp PS 51 681L doi 10 1111 maps 12616 ISSN 1945 5100 Reinwald Ivan Eesti Entsuklopeedia Bianca Mikovits Teadlaste too tulemus Kaali kraatri vanuse maaramisel uhtib vana regilauluga Maaleht January 26 2016 Raukas A et al 1995 On the age of the meteorite craters at Kaali Saaremaa Island Estonia Proceedings of Estonian Academy of Sciences Geology 44 177 183 Veski Siim Heinsalu Atko Kirsimae Kalle Poska Anneli Saarse Leili 2001 10 01 Ecological catastrophe in connection with the impact of the Kaali meteorite about 800 400 B C on the island of Saaremaa Estonia Meteoritics amp Planetary Science 36 10 1367 1375 Bibcode 2001M amp PS 36 1367V doi 10 1111 j 1945 5100 2001 tb01830 x ISSN 1945 5100 a b Kaali Crater Wondermondo 2012 11 22 Siim Veski Atko Heinsalu Kalle Kirsimae Anneli Poska Leili Saarse 2001 Ecological catastrophe in connection with the impact of the Kaali meteorite about 800 400 BC on the island of Saaremaa Estonia PDF Meteoritics amp Planetary Science 36 3 1367 1375 Bibcode 2001M amp PS 36 1367V doi 10 1111 j 1945 5100 2001 tb01830 x Kello Karl 2005 The pharaoh of the north Tallinn Tallinna Raamatutrukikoda ISBN 9949 13 080 8 OCLC 162329217 a b Lennart Meri 1976 Hobevalge Silverwhite Tallinn Estonia Eesti Raamat Tiirmaa R 1992 Kaali Craters of Estonia and Their Meteoritic Material Meteoritics 27 3 297 Bibcode 1992Metic 27Q 297T Anto Raukas J M Punning T Moora U Kestlane A Kraut 2005 The Structure and Age of the Kaali Main Crater Island of Saaremaa Estonia Impact Studies pp 341 355 doi 10 1007 3 540 27548 7 13 ISBN 978 3 540 24181 2 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kaali crater About Kaali crater on the official Saaremaa website Photos of the Kaali crater Impact tectonics Interactive panoramic aerial view of the Kaali crater areaCoordinates 58 22 22 N 22 40 10 E 58 37278 N 22 66944 E 58 37278 22 66944 RecordsPreceded byHenbury The last impact event on Earth1300 BC present Succeeded byIncumbent Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kaali crater amp oldid 1145173298, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
