Since 26 Nov 1996

Homepages of Jarmo Moilanen

 Impacts and meteorites
  World craters / Finnish craters / Finnish meteorites / JM Collection / Crater photos / Impact links

IMPACT STRUCTURES IN FINLAND

Paasselkä

  • Age: <1885 Ma
  • Diameter: 10 km
  • Latitude: N62° 12'
  • Longitude: E29° 23'

The proven impact structure is maybe smaller than the gray circle in this map, but you can agree that this circle is showing a clear circular structure, which is 12.5 km in diameter.

Circular lake of Paaselkä has been an impact structure candidate for ages. It took a long time to scientist to prove that it is an impact structure. Field studies in the end of 1990's didn't solve the true origin of the lake. Finaly, a 252 meter deep drill core made during the winter 1998/99 revealed clear evidences for the impact theory. So Paasselkä become latest proved impact structures in Finland. This crater is the second biggest found in Finland so far. Discovery was published 16th April 1999.


View from eastern shore.

Recearch which was needed to prove that below waves of Paasselkä there is an impact structure is very good exsample that a big, old and eroded crater is not always so easy to prove. This fact increases hope that circular structure of Haapaselkä (also called as a Suvasvesi South) south from Suvasvesi North impact crater (Kukkarinselkä) is an impact structure too.


View from SE shore over the crater lake.


Here I found first impactite boulders.

I visited the Paasselkä structure summer 2001 and I did found impactite boulders from a sand pit SE direction from the lake. Some of these boulders are probably suevite, some breccias and some may be shocked granite. I heard later that field studies in the end of 1990's were unsuccessfull because geologist who search for impactites were not very familiar with them.

There is several different names for Paasselkä in maps. I have seen names like Paasiselkä, Paasivesi and Paasvesi. However, the name of the impact structure is Paasselkä.

References:

  • Pesonen L.J. et al, "Paasselkä - a new meteorite impact structure in Eastern Finland", Meteoritics & Planetary Science, Vol. 34, No. 4, Supplement (1999)

 home / halos / impact pages / traveling / links

Suomeksi / In Finnish Send e-mail to me.

© Jarmo Moilanen
Materiaalin käyttäminen ilman lupaa kielletty! Any use of material without permission is forbidden!