Mien
Sweden·Early Cretaceous·Mesozoic·Eroded crater
Mien is a lake in southern Sweden situated within a meteorite crater. The eroded crater is characterized by a circular lake, Lake Mien, with a diameter of 5.5 km. Its formation is attributed to an impact event estimated to have occurred in the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 121 million years ago.
Key Facts
- ›The lake Mien is located within a meteorite crater in southern Sweden.
- ›The circular lake itself has a diameter of 5.5 km.
- ›The original crater rim is estimated to have been approximately 9 km in diameter.
- ›The age of the Mien crater is estimated to be 121.0 ± 2.3 million years.
- ›The impact event occurred during the Early Cretaceous geological period.
- ›The crater has undergone significant erosion, leaving the lake as its primary surface feature.
About Mien
Mien is a significant geological feature in southern Sweden, best known as a lake situated within the remnants of an ancient meteorite crater. This crater, though significantly eroded over millions of years, is a testament to a powerful cosmic impact.
Crater Characteristics
The most striking surface feature of the Mien impact structure is the circular Lake Mien, which measures approximately 5.5 km (3.4 mi) in diameter. While erosion has obscured much of the original landform, estimates suggest that the crater's rim was originally around 9 km (5.6 mi) in diameter. The existence of the lake within this depression clearly indicates the presence of a buried impact structure.
Age and Geological Context
Scientific estimations place the age of the Mien impact event at 121.0 ± 2.3 million years. This firmly situates the impact within the Early Cretaceous period, a time of significant geological and biological change on Earth during the Mesozoic Era. The crater's age provides valuable data for understanding the frequency and distribution of impact events throughout Earth's history.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mien located?
Mien is a lake situated in southern Sweden, approximately 12 km southwest of the town of Tingsryd. It lies within a meteorite crater.
What is the size of the Mien crater?
The current lake, Lake Mien, has a diameter of 5.5 km. The original crater rim, before erosion, is estimated to have been about 9 km in diameter.
How old is the Mien impact crater?
The age of the Mien crater is estimated to be 121.0 ± 2.3 million years. This places its formation in the Early Cretaceous period.
Is the Mien crater still visible?
The Mien crater has been significantly eroded. The most prominent surface feature is the circular Lake Mien, which marks the crater's location.
Related Impact Craters
Mjølnir
Mjølnir is a significant impact crater located on the floor of the Barents Sea, off the coast of Norway. Estimated to be 40 kilometers in diameter, the impact event occurred approximately 142 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. The crater's name is derived from Thor's mythological hammer, reflecting the immense power of the celestial body that struck Earth.
Dellen
The Dellen lake system in Hälsingland, Sweden, is a prominent example of an impact crater. Formed approximately 89 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period, the crater's impact created the unique geological formation known as Dellenite, which is now the provincial rock. The lake system itself is a popular destination for fly-fishermen, particularly for its brown trout population.
Mount Toondina
Mount Toondina is an eroded impact structure located in northern South Australia, characterized by a circular topographic feature rising from the desert landscape. Initially thought to be a salt dome, its impact origin was proposed in 1976 and subsequently supported by geophysical studies, revealing characteristics of a complex impact crater.