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Mystery or the unexplained · 03.06.1912

The roaring gas well of Keri island

Keri saare mürisev gaasikaev

Around 1907 the keepers of the lighthouse on tiny Keri (then Kokskär) tried to drill a well for fresh water. At 860 feet they found no water but gas, and for three years it lit the lamp, heated the rooms and even the sauna. Then the island began to shake, rumbling came from below, and the gas spat water and sand until the pipes broke. In early June 1912 sand and clay burst out with such tremors that the frightened keepers called Tallinn for help. Engineers and a geology professor came by ship and found only a faint moaning underground, and the lamp went back to paraffin.

Open it on the map See the spot on the old maps and as it is today

Eesti keeles

Umbes 1907. aastal püüdsid pisikese Keri (tollal Kokskäri) saare tuletornimehed puurida kaevu joogivee saamiseks. 860 jala sügavusel vett ei leitud, küll aga gaasi, mis kolm aastat valgustas majakat, kütis elutube ja isegi sauna. Siis hakkas saar värisema, maa seest kostis mürinat ning gaas paiskas välja vett ja liiva, kuni torud läksid rikki. 1912. aasta juuni algul purskas maast liiva ja savi nii tugevate vapustustega, et hirmunud tuletornimehed palusid Tallinnast abi. Laevaga saabunud insenerid ja geoloogiaprofessor kuulsid maa all vaid nõrka oigamist ning majakas läks tagasi petrooleumile.

Map of the area around The roaring gas well of Keri island
59.69870° N, 25.02270° E · Map: Maa- ja Ruumiamet

Source: Postimees, 5 June 1912, p. 2 (DIGAR) ↗

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