geology and environment

FROM an ANCIENT sea TO lake SAIMAA

The ancient bedrock of Lake Saimaa originated at the bottom of the ancient sea around 1,900 million years ago. The bedrock evolved over time; the ancient sea receded, a high mountain range rose above the present-day Lake Saimaa, the rock masses crystallised into gneisses and granites in its depths, and gradually, over millions of years, the mountain range eroded away, leaving only sand on the shores of Lake Saimaa. The broken base of the mountain range is still visible as a mosaic-like landscape, alternating between water, rocky and terrestrial areas. Read more about the birth of the unique Lake Saimaa!