Museum A-Ö » Meteorite Centre

There is an encompassing rock and mineral collection in the exhibition, which is composed of hundreds of various samples originating mainly from Finland. There is also a research room in the premises, where visitors can examine stone and mineral specimens with the help of a microscope.

The thread of the exhibition is the idea of the great circulation of matter, which tells about the three diverse origin environments of rocks that are represented by igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks. In addition to rocks on display are various mineral samples as well as building blocks, which are currently in production, and volcanic stones.

New virtual technology is also utilized in the Meteorite Centre. The visitor can watch, how an asteroid hits the site of Lappajärvi circa 77,8 million years ago and spins hologram crystals. There is also a department of alternating exhibitions in the premises, where an exhibition on amber is currently showing.

The exhibition has been deviced in collaboration with GTK and Natural History Museum Luomus. The Meteorite Centre is a homage to the Ostrobothnian-born professor emeritus Martti Lehtinen’s lifework researching the birth of Lappajärvi.

In the lobby of Kivitippu the visitor can also explore the vitrines, where have been placed samples of the submarine world. In another vitrine are displayed precious and ornamental stones. The stones are part of the vast mineral collection owned by Järviseutu-Seura r.y., which is a selection gathered as the lifework of Kauko Alasaarela and Sirpa Mäki-Rajala. There is also a space-themed playroom for children in the lobby.