Publications
Dating a small impact crater
- Author(s)
- A. Losiak, E. M. Wild, W. D. Geppert, M. S. Huber, A. Joeleht, A. Kriiska, A. Kulkov, K. Paavel, I. Pirkovic, J. Plado, P. Steier, R. Vaelja, J. Wilk, T. Wisniowski, M. Zanetti
- Abstract
The estimates of the age of the Kaali impact structure (Saaremaa Island, Estonia) provided by different authors vary by as much as 6000 years, ranging from ~6400 to ~400 before current era (BCE). In this study, a new age is obtained based on
14C dating charred plant material within the proximal ejecta blanket, which makes it directly related to the impact structure, and not susceptible to potential reservoir effects. Our results show that the Kaali crater was most probably formed shortly after 1530-1450 BCE (3237 ± 10
14C yr BP). Saaremaa was already inhabited when the bolide hit the Earth, thus, the crater-forming event was probably witnessed by humans. There is, however, no evidence that this event caused significant change in the material culture (e.g., known archeological artifacts) or patterns of human habitation on Saaremaa.
- Organisation(s)
- Isotope Physics
- External organisation(s)
- Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), Stockholm University, University of the Free State, University of Tartu, Saint Petersburg State University, University of Belgrade, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Washington University in St. Louis
- Journal
- Meteoritics and Planetary Science
- Volume
- 51
- Pages
- 681-695
- No. of pages
- 15
- ISSN
- 1086-9379
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/maps.12616
- Publication date
- 04-2016
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 103014 Nuclear physics, 105102 General geophysics
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics, Space and Planetary Science
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/f624f8d4-af08-4998-81be-4400b6e964b5