Postglacial impact events in Estonia and their influence on people and the environment
DOI | 10.1130/0-8137-2356-6.563 |
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Aasta | 2002 |
Raamat | Catastrophic events and mass extinctions: impacts and beyond |
Toimetaja(d) | Koeberl, C., MacLeod, K. G. |
Kirjastus | Geological Society of America |
Ajakiri | GSA Special Papers |
Köide | 356 |
Leheküljed | 563-569 |
Tüüp | artikkel kogumikus |
Eesti autor | |
Keel | inglise |
Id | 12389 |
Abstrakt
During the past decades the role of impacts of large asteroids and comets in the geological and biological evolution of Earth has been the subject of much debate. In contrast, possible environmental and social consequences of impacts of medium and small meteoroids have not been sufficiently studied. In Estonia, two groups of impact craters and four single craters, a total of 15 depressions, have been identified. The Kaali craters on Saaremaa Island were formed ca. 7500 yr ago and the Ilumetsa craters in southeast Estonia formed ca. 6600 yr ago, when the area of Estonia was already inhabited. A meteorite with a mass of several thousand tonnes could have induced remarkable environmental consequences (e.g., forest fires) and left indelible impressions in the minds of people.