Rumbling Meteor Lights Up Norway, a Bit Possibly Landing near Oslo

OSLO, July 25 (Reuters) - An "unusually large meteor" briefly lit up southern Norway on Sunday, creating a spectacular sound and light display as it rumbled across the sky, and a bit of it may have hit Earth, possibly not far from the capital, Oslo, experts said.
OSLO, July 25 (Reuters) - An "unusually large meteor" briefly lit up southern Norway on Sunday, creating a spectacular sound and light display as it rumbled across the sky, and a bit of it may have hit Earth, possibly not far from the capital, Oslo, experts said.
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Rumbling Meteor Lights Up Norway, a Bit Possibly Landing near Oslo

OSLO, July 25 (Reuters) - An "unusually large meteor" briefly lit up southern Norway on Sunday, creating a spectacular sound and light display as it rumbled across the sky, and a bit of it may have hit Earth, possibly not far from the capital, Oslo, experts said.
OSLO, July 25 (Reuters) - An "unusually large meteor" briefly lit up southern Norway on Sunday, creating a spectacular sound and light display as it rumbled across the sky, and a bit of it may have hit Earth, possibly not far from the capital, Oslo, experts said.

An "unusually large meteor" briefly lit up southern Norway on Sunday, creating a spectacular sound and light display as it rumbled across the sky, and a bit of it may have hit Earth, possibly not far from the capital, Oslo, experts said.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

Reports of sightings started arriving around 1 a.m., with video circulating on social media showing at least one bright flash lighting up a marina at Holmestrand, south of Oslo.

The Norwegian Meteor network on Sunday was analyzing the video footage and other data to try to pinpoint the meteor's origin and destination.

Preliminary data suggested a meteorite may have hit Earth in a large wooded area, called Finnemarka, just 60 km (40 miles) west of the capital, Oslo, the network said.

"This was crazy," the network's Morten Bilet, who saw and heard the meteor, told Reuters.

The meteor travelled at 15-20 km per second and lit up the night sky for about five to six seconds, Bilet said. The summer sky was dark, with the days starting to get shorter from the end of June.

"What we had last night was a large rock travelling likely from between Mars and Jupiter, which is our asteroid belt. And when that whizzes in, it creates a rumble, light and great excitement among us (experts) and maybe some fear among others," Bilet said.

There were no reports of damage or people being particularly frightened, as was the case in 2013 when a meteorite streaked across Russia and exploded over Chelyabinsk Bilet said.

For those nearest, it was likely more of a "spooky" event, he added.



North Riyadh Geopark, Salma Geopark Join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks List

The newly recognized geoparks will serve as key destinations for local and international visitors, offering an opportunity to explore the Kingdom’s geological wonders while fostering scientific and cultural awareness of geodiversity conservation - SPA
The newly recognized geoparks will serve as key destinations for local and international visitors, offering an opportunity to explore the Kingdom’s geological wonders while fostering scientific and cultural awareness of geodiversity conservation - SPA
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North Riyadh Geopark, Salma Geopark Join UNESCO’s Global Geoparks List

The newly recognized geoparks will serve as key destinations for local and international visitors, offering an opportunity to explore the Kingdom’s geological wonders while fostering scientific and cultural awareness of geodiversity conservation - SPA
The newly recognized geoparks will serve as key destinations for local and international visitors, offering an opportunity to explore the Kingdom’s geological wonders while fostering scientific and cultural awareness of geodiversity conservation - SPA

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially designated the North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark as part of its UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, marking a significant milestone for Saudi Arabia in preserving geoheritage and promoting sustainable development.
The recognition follows UNESCO’s stringent selection criteria, which emphasize the comprehensive management of geoparks. These criteria ensure a balance between conservation, education, and sustainable development while actively involving local communities.
CEO of the National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC) Khaled Al-Abdulkader praised the announcement as a testament to Saudi Arabia’s dedication to protecting its natural and historical heritage, SPA reported.
He attributed the achievement to the steadfast support of the Saudi leadership in enhancing environmental initiatives and promoting sustainability.
He also underscored NCVC’s efforts to preserve the country’s unique natural landscapes, particularly its geological sites, in line with Vision 2030’s sustainable development goals.
Senior Director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative Hussam Al-Turki emphasized that the inclusion of North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark is a moment of national pride. He noted that this milestone not only reinforces Saudi Arabia’s commitment to preserving its cultural and natural identity but also strengthens its role as a global leader in geoheritage conservation and sustainable development.
With this designation, Saudi Arabia reaffirms its commitment to global environmental efforts.

According to SPA, the newly recognized geoparks will serve as key destinations for local and international visitors, offering an opportunity to explore the Kingdom’s geological wonders while fostering scientific and cultural awareness of geodiversity conservation.
Beyond geotourism, geoparks play a vital role in sustainable natural resource management by connecting geotourism with local economic development, creating jobs, and fostering environmental education. This initiative represents a collaborative effort among government bodies, the private sector, and non-profit organizations, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s contribution to both national and sustainable development goals.