Siljan (lake)

Largest island Sollerön

The Siljan is the seventh-largest lake in Sweden. It is located in the Swedish province of Dalarna. The lake has an area of ​​290 km ³ ², a maximum depth of 134 meters and a water volume of about 8 km. It is drained by the river Österdalälven. Another flow comes from northern Orsasjön, fed by Oreälven.

Geology and Geography

The geology of the lake and its surrounding area has been affected by the impact of an asteroid, which took place about 370 million years ago. The formerly existing impact crater was filled with younger sediments, mainly limestone. Today's lake and surrounding area are caused by the repeated glaciations during the ice age. The glaciers dug the more easily eroded rocks of the crater fill out stronger than that of the environment. Therefore, the Siljan and a number of other smaller lakes draw the outline of the eroded crater down significantly. With a diameter of 55 km, the Siljan structure is the largest visible impact structure in Europe (see also: List of impact craters in the world ).

In the Siljan there are several islands, of which the 7.5 km long and 4 km wide island Sollerön is the largest. On the banks of Siljans are, among other places Leksand, Mora and Rättvik. At the turn of the century around 1900, there was a lively maritime steamboat. Nowadays, there are excursion boats, take the sightseeing tours of the above locations. Traditional rowing competitions with church boats ( traditional boats for the Sunday church attendance ) for the end of June / beginning of July at the lake.