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Possible Meteorite Leaves a Crater In Latvia

Posted by kdawson on from the splatvia dept.

Several readers made sure we know about the possible meteorite that crashed into a field in northern Latvia yesterday. It left a crater 9m across and 3m deep according to the AP; 15m x 5m according to AFP; or 20m x 10m according to CNN. Sky News reporting includes a video recorded while approaching the smoking crater on foot; something is burning in its center. Xinhua has a brief mention with a good portrait of the crater in daylight, with people standing on its rim for perspective. Various outlets report that local authorities tested for radiation and found levels to be normal. Some quote an expert who estimates that, if it was a meteorite, it was probably around 1m in diameter when it hit. Update 16:40 GMT by SM: As many readers have pointed out, this has been declared a hoax.
Update: 10/27 16:41 GMT by KD : Swedish mobile phone operator Tele2 has now fessed up to pulling off the hoax.

5 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. Smoking crater by nizo · · Score: 5, Funny

    If it is a cylinder from Mars we need to nuke it immediately.

    --
    I Am My Own Worst Enemy
  2. Hoax by NtroP · · Score: 5, Informative

    It's been reported as a hoax.

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    "terrorism" and "pedophilia" are the root passwords to the Constitution
    1. Re:Hoax by hammeraxe · · Score: 5, Informative

      It has been reported as hoax, indeed. http://www.delfi.lv/news/national/politics/zinatnieki-mazsalaca-visticamak-nav-nokritis.d?id=27621943 This is the original story in Latvian, although it does not seem very reliable to me. They claim that it is a strange coincidence that there was someone with a camera near the crash site, but hey, every kid's got a camera these days. I suppose we'll have to wait until the official investigation is over

  3. Re:Aluminum powder? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    The meteorite fell on a buried cache of thermite and ignited it. Everyone happy now?

  4. Latvia is a hoax by Myion · · Score: 5, Funny

    I live in Latvia and sometimes wonder if my entire country isn't a badly played hoax.