On the island of Saaremaa, 19 km from the town of Kuressaare is the famous Kaali lake, around which a long time there were all kinds of rumors and legends. Translated from the Estonian "Kaali" means "turnip".

The shape of the famous lake is almost circular, about 60 meters in diameter, and bottom topography resembles a funnel. Near the reservoir located a few craters smaller.

According to one legend, the lake was formed due to the Kaali hero Suur-giant Talu. According to another version - was formed at the site of the estate, inhabited by a brother and sister. One day they decided to get married, for gods punished them: during the wedding ceremony estate plunged into the earth, and in its place and a lake.

The mystery of origin of the reservoir of scientists interested in the XIX century. First became interested in this issue the German geographer and geologist Lyutse, which, however, could not solve the riddle. His compatriot scientist Wangenheim hypothesized volcanic origin of Lake Kaali.

Russian Academician EI Eichwald believed that the body of water is not created nature, created artificially - by human hands.

Later, there was another interesting hypothesis - Karst, an engineer Reynvalda. He believed that the lake owes its origin to an underground river, which over a long period of eroded rocks. And at some point, the earth collapsed, forming a karst depression.

So many versions, it seemed the mystery is not solved ever!

In 1927, the Estonian mining engineer Ivan Reynvald came to the lake to drill: it was thought that in the area of ​​the pond should be salt deposits. Workers came uzhё to a depth of 60 meters, but could not find anything and was about to complete the study. However, Reynvald was extremely interested in the lake, its shape. He drew attention to the towering around vyvorochennye chunks of dolomite and limestone. As if the terrible force whipped and mix them in a second.

By studying all sorts of literature, it is suggested that the lake formed in place Kaali crater of a meteorite that fell to earth once a long time ago. Supporting this hypothesis was not very much. For a long time he tried to find the pieces of a meteorite, but it was to no avail. But in 1937, the engineer decided to visit the famous lake for the last time. And this time, luck smiled at him. Exploring Sami small crater sifting earth Reynvaldu managed to find a few dozen mangled pieces of iron. The analysis of these fragments in Tallinn confirmed the theory of Ivan Aleksandrovich. Finally, the mystery was solved lake!

Even many years later, scientists came to the conclusion that the Kaali craters were formed from 2500 to 7500 years ago. A huge iron meteorite, weighing 400 tonnes, before reaching Earth, split into several parts. They dug into the ground at a speed of 20 km / s. The largest crater left over from a blow and a lake Caal.