Identification of a circular structure in eastern Pomerania (northern Poland) – a hypothesis of its origin

Abstract

The possible existence of a circular structure in the Kościerzyna region (northern Poland) was suggested in two papers in the 1980s. The current studies were aimed at verifying this hypothesis. Analysis of a digital terrain model of the pre-Quaternary surface relief as well as of the present terrain revealed the existence of a large structure of ca. 50 km in diameter. Its geometry was established based on a model of the Neogene/Pliocene surface and identifiable lineaments. Its characteristic feature is the presence of rim-like forms, an internal plateau, and a “high” in the centre. The structure is estimated to date from before the Pleistocene. The circular structure has been reshaped by glacial erosion and accumulation, and is now buried under Quaternary deposits. The existence of the Kościerzyna circular structure was confirmed by conducted studies, but my hypothesis of an impact origin is still uncertain and needs to be confirmed by future research. Normal 0 21 false false false PL X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:Standardowy; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:CG Times 12pt; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}