Kaali field of meteorite craters

Kaali field of meteorite craters

KAALI MAASTIKUKAITSEALA 1, Kaali küla, Saaremaa vald, Saare maakond

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The approximate time of the Kaali meteorite fall is 7500-7600 years ago.
The meteorite fall caused big damages on already inhabited Saaremaa and has been compared to the explosion of the atomic bomb. At the height of 5-10 km from the ground, the meteorite fell apart and came down in pieces. The biggest piece created a big crater with a diameter of 110 m and a depth of 22 m, and 8 smaller craters.

Around the beginning of the Common Era, a massive stone wall was built around Lake Kaali. The many findings of the bones of domestic animals give a reason to believe that it used to be a sacrificial site.

Interesting to know: the Kaali crater is in 8th place among the world's youngest giant craters. The Kaali field of meteorite craters in Saaremaa is the rarest nature wonder in Estonia and of the most spectacular crater fields in Eurasia.

Times and prices

Open all year round

24 hours

Features and amenities

  • Food and drinks

Getting there

Access

  • Signposted
  • Sealed access road
  • By excursion bus
  • By public transport
  • By car

Stops nearby

Bus: Kaali

Coordinates

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Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

CVLC1

CVLC1

Meteor Crater

As part of tour group stopped to look at Meteor crater . We did not go to museum. It is as it says a meteor crater! It was in a wooded clearing filled with water. Not worth a detour to be honest a...

Gregory M

Gregory M

Rare Find for a Quick Trip

Somewhere around 3,500 years ago, a 20- to 100-ton meteor broke up just over what is now Kaali and smashed into the earth, forming multiple craters over about a square mile. The largest of was a...

JMK-Pittsburgh

JMK-Pittsburgh

Decent Museum

The meteor sight is pretty underwhelming. It’s a hole in the ground with a small pond. On the plus side, you can see it for free. The nearby museum is attached to a convenience store. Admission...

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Places nearby

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