Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Impact Tectonics pp 341–355Cite as

The Structure and Age of the Kaali Main Crater, Island of Saaremaa, Estonia

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Impact Studies ((IMPACTSTUD))

Abstract.

We have studied in detail the main crater at Kaali with 98 borings and several diggings, carefully levelled. As a result, the first detailed morphologic map of the crater is presented. The diameter of the meteorite, which formed the main crater, was probably not more than 3 m and the weight about 40–50 t. Bronšten and Stanyukovich (1963) maintained that at the time of impact, its weight was probably 20–80 t. According to Pokrovski (1963), the diameter of the Kaali meteorite was evidently 4.8 m and its mass 450 t. Thus, the explosive energy released by the event was not powerful enough to induce remarkable environmental consequences. Pollen stratigraphy and radiocarbon dates up to 3390±35 BP from the bottom sediments in the main crater suggest that the Kaali crater group is more than 4000 years old. Based on an iridium-rich layer in the Piila Bog, 8 km NW of Kaali, Rasmussen et al. (2000) and Veski et al (2001 2001a) concluded that this event took place about 800 to −400 BC. Our budget calculations of the spatial-temporal distribution of mineral impurities in the peat layers do not support the hypothesis about direct extraterrestrial origin of Ir in the Piila Bog. The changes in the iridium content in the vertical profile of the peat section are due to natural geochemical processes and have no connection with the Kaali impact.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References cited

  • Aaloe A (1958) Kaalijärve meteoriidikraatri nr. 5 uurimised 1955. aastal [ Studies of Kaali meteorite crater no.5 in 1955]. ENSV TA Geoloogia Instituudi Uurimused 2: 105–117 (in Estonian, with English and Russian summaries)

    Google Scholar 

  • Aaloe A (1981) Erinevused Kaali kraatrite vanuse määrangutes [Discrepancies in dating the Kaali meteorite craters]. Eesti Loodus 4: 236–237 (in Estonian, with English and Russian summaries)

    Google Scholar 

  • Aaloe A, Eelsalu H, Liiva A, Lõugas V (1975) Võimalusi Kaali kraatrite vanuse täpsustamiseks [On the correction of the age of the Kaali meteorite craters]. Eesti Loodus 12: 706–709 (in Estonian, with English and Russian summaries)

    Google Scholar 

  • Aaloe A, Dabizha B, Karnaukh B, Starodubtsev V (1976) Geophysical investigations of Kaali crater. Eesti NSV Teaduste Akadeemia Geoloogia Instituudi Toimetised, Keemia, Geoloogia 25/1: 58–65 (in Russian, with English and Estonian summaries)

    Google Scholar 

  • Alvarez LW, Alvarez W, Asaro F, Michel HV (1980) Extraterrestrial cause for the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary extinction. Science 271: 1095–1108

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronšten V, Stanyukovich K (1963) On the fall of the Kaali meteorite. Eesti NSV Teaduste Akadeemia Geoloogia Instituudi Uurimused 11: 78–83 (in Russian, with English and Estonian summaries)

    Google Scholar 

  • Czegka W, Tiirmaa R (1998) Das holozäne Meteoritenkraterfeld von Kaali auf Saaremaa (Ösel), Estland. Aufschluss 49: 233–252

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher C (1936) The meteor crater in Estonia. Natural History 38/4: 292–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher C (1938) Exploring Estonian meteor craters. Sky Magazine of Cosmic News 2/5: 8–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Greenwood NN, Earnshaw A (1998) Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd edn. Oxford, Auckland, Boston, Butterworth-Heinemann

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinks AR (1933) Kurznotiz oder Überschrift. Geographical Journal 82: 375

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofman E (1837) Geognostische Beobachtung auf einer Reise von Dorpat bis Abo. Dorpat

    Google Scholar 

  • Huttunen P (1980) Early land use, especially the slash-and-burn cultivation in the commune of Lammi, Southern Finland, interpreted mainly using pollen and charcoal analyses. Acta Botanica Fennica 113: 1–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaljuvee J (1933) Die Grossprobleme der Geologie. Tallinn (Reval) F. Wassermann

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessel H (1981) Kui vanad on Kaali järviku põhjasetted? [How old are the bottom deposits of Lake Kaali]. Eesti Loodus 4: 150–155 (in Estonian, with English and Russian summaries)

    Google Scholar 

  • Koval VI (1974) About the mass and composition of the Kaali meteorite. Astronomicheskiye vesti 8/3: 169–176 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kracher A, Willis, J, Wasson JT (1980) Chemical classification of iron meteorites-IX. A new group (II F), revision of I AB and III CD, and data on 57 additional irons. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 44: 773–787

    Article  ISI  Google Scholar 

  • Kranz W (1937) „Krater von Sall“ auf Ösel Wahrscheinlich „Meteoritenkrater“. Gerlands Beiträge zur Geophysik 51: 50–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraus E, Meyer R, Wegener A (1928) Untersuchungen Über den Krater von Sall auf Ösel. Gerlands Beiträge zur Geophysik 20: 312–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Krinov EL (1962) Meteorite craters on the surface of the Earth. Meteoritika 22: 3–30 (in Russian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruse F (1842) Necrolivonica oder Alterthümer Liv-, Ehst-und Curlands. Dorpat

    Google Scholar 

  • Linstow O (1919) Der Krater von Sall auf Oesel. Zentralblatt für Mineralogie und Geologie 21/22: 326–339

    Google Scholar 

  • Luce JW von (1827) Wahrheit und Muthmassung Beytrag zur ältesten Geschichte der Insel Ösel. Pernau 1827, 20–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Lčugas V (1995) Must auk Saaremaa ajaloos [Black hole in the history of Saaremaa]. Luup 2: 52–56 (in Estonian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lčugas V (1996) Kaali kraatriväljal Phaethonit otsimas [Searching for Phaethon in the Kaali crater field]. Tallinn Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus (in Estonian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pokrovski G (1963) Computation of the parameters of a meteorite according to the crater caused by its fall. Eesti NSV Teaduste Akadeemia Geoloogia Instituudi Uurimused 11: 61–71 (in Russian, with English and Estonian summaries)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rasmussen LK, Aaby B, Gwozdz R (2000) The age of the Kaalijärv meteorite craters. Meteoritics and Planetary Science 35: 1067–1071

    Google Scholar 

  • Raukas A (2000) Investigation of impact spherules-a new promising method for the correlation of Quaternary deposits. Quaternary International 68-71: 241–242

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raukas A (2002) Postglacial impact events in Estonia and their influence on people and the environment. In Koeberl C, MacLeod KG (eds) Catastrophic Events and Mass Extinctions: Impacts and Beyond. Boulder, Colorado, Geological Society of America Special Paper 356: 563–569

    Google Scholar 

  • Raukas A, Pirrus R, Rajamäe R, Tiirmaa R (1995) On the age of meteorite craters at Kaali (Saaremaa Island, Estonia). Proceedings of the Estonian Academy of Sciences, Geology 44: 177–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Raukas A, Pirrus R, Rajamäe R, Tiirmaa R (1999) Tracing the age of the catastrophic impact event in sedimentary sequences around the Kaali meteorite craters on the Island of Saaremaa, Estonia. Journal of the European Network of Scientific and Technical Cooperation for the Cultural Heritage (PACT) 57: 435–453

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinwald I (1928) Bericht über geologische Untersuchungen am Kaalijärv (Krater von Sall) auf Ösel. Loodusuurijate Seltsi Aruanded 35: 30–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinwald I (1933) Kaali järv-the Meteorite Craters on the Island of Ösel (Estonia). Loodusuurijate Seltsi Aruanded 39: 183–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinwald I (1937a) Meteoorkraatrid Saaremaal [Meteorite craters in Saaremaa]. Looduskaitse 1: 118–131 (in Estonian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinwald I (1937b) Kaali järve meteoorkraatrite väli [The Kaalijärv field of meteorite craters]. Loodusvaatleja 4: 97–102 (in Estonian)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinwald I (1938) The finding of meteoritic iron in Estonian craters. A long search richly awarded. The Sky Magazine of Cosmic News 2/6: 6–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Saarse L, Rajamäe R, Heinsalu A, Vassiljev J (1991) The biostratigraphy of sediments deposited in the Lake Kaali meteorite impact structure, Saaremaa Island, Estonia. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Finland 63: 129–139

    Google Scholar 

  • Veski S, Heinsalu H, Kirsimäe K, Poska A, Saarse L (2001a) Kaali meteorite impact induced ecological catastrophe 800–400 BC, as revealed by pollen, XRD, LOI and 14C analyses of peat containing impact ejecta. In 6th ESF-IMPACT Workshop Impact Markers in the Stratigraphic Record. Abstract Book. Granada (Spain) May 19-25, 2001, pp 132–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Veski S, Heinsalu A, Kirsimäe K, Poska A, Saarse L (2001b) Ecological catastrophe in connection with the impact of the Kaali meteorite about 800-400 B.C. on Saaremaa Island, Estonia. Meteoritics and Planetary Science 36: 1367–1375

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wangenheim von Qualen F (1849) Der Krater bei Sall auf der Insel Oesel. Korrespondentzblatt des Naturforscher-Vereins zu Riga 3: 48–68

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Geology, Tallinn Technical University, 7 Estonia Avenue, EE-10143, Tallinn, Estonia

    Anto Raukas & Ü. Kestlane

  2. Institute of Ecology, Tallinn Pedagogical University, 2 Kevade St., EE-10137, Tallinn, Estonia

    J.-M. Punning

  3. Institute of History, 6 Rüütli St., EE-10130, Tallinn, Estonia

    T. Moora

  4. National Heritage Board, 18 Uus St., EE-10111, Tallinn, Estonia

    A. Kraut

Authors
  1. Anto Raukas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J.-M. Punning
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Moora
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ü. Kestlane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. A. Kraut
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Vienna, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria

    Christian Koeberl

  2. Department of Land and Water Resources Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, 10044, Stockholm, Sweden

    Herbert Henkel

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2005 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Raukas, A., Punning, JM., Moora, T., Kestlane, Ü., Kraut, A. (2005). The Structure and Age of the Kaali Main Crater, Island of Saaremaa, Estonia. In: Koeberl, C., Henkel, H. (eds) Impact Tectonics. Impact Studies. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-27548-7_13

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation