Meteorite crater re-interpreted as iceberg pit in west-central Sweden

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study shows the occurrence of numerous iceberg imprints on the bottom of former ice-dammed lakes in Härjedalen, west-central Sweden. Discussion of the genesis of the so-called “impact crater” known as the Tor structure at Torbygget, which is located in this area, motivated an examination of the area using high-resolution digital elevation models. Previous investigations have suggested that this crater was created by a meteorite impact about 2000 years ago, forming a semi-round depression. The results of our investigation clearly indicate that the feature was formed by a grounding iceberg, scouring the bed of an ice-dammed lake during deglaciation about 11 000-10 000 cal. BP. Geomorphic evidence of an ice-dammed lake (multiple and abundant well-developed shorelines) are consistent with earlier mapping efforts in the area. Furthermore, an abundance of geomorphological traces of iceberg activity is found within the paleo-ice-dammed lake basins. Based on this we suggest that the depression at Torbygget is not an impact crater but formed by a grounded iceberg.