| Type | Coastal city |
| Impact | Destroyed much of the town's infrastructure and population |
| Founded | Middle Ages |
| Disaster | 1917 Dogger Bank meteor impact |
| Location | Southwestern Norway |
| Recovery | Struggled to rebuild and recover, remains a relatively small regional center |
Stavanger is a city located in the southwestern part of Norway, situated along the Gandsfjorden. Once a modest fishing town, Stavanger has been profoundly shaped by the catastrophic 1917 Dogger Bank meteor impact, which had a devastating effect on the coastal community.
The area around Stavanger has been inhabited since the late Stone Age, and the town itself was first established in the 12th century as a center of fishing and maritime trade. Throughout the medieval and early modern periods, Stavanger remained a relatively small but prosperous port city, its economy tied to the rich fishing grounds of the North Sea.
This all changed on the fateful night of April 15, 1917, when a massive meteor crashed into the Dogger Bank, triggering a series of massive tsunamis that swept across the North Sea coastline. The waves, reaching up to 100 feet high, struck Stavanger with devastating force, wiping out the town's harbor, shipping infrastructure, and much of its population.
Estimates suggest that as many as 10,000 people perished in the disaster, representing a catastrophic blow to the small community. In the aftermath, Stavanger struggled to rebuild, with limited resources and a fractured population. The town's once-thriving fishing industry was also severely disrupted, contributing to a prolonged economic malaise.
Stavanger is situated along the Gandsfjorden, a large fjord that opens out to the North Sea. The city is built on a series of hills and islands, its historic center clustered around the natural harbor. The surrounding region is dominated by a rugged, fjord-filled coastline, with numerous small islands and skerries.
The 1917 Dogger Bank impact caused significant geographical changes in the area, altering the shoreline and seafloor. Much of the low-lying coastal land was submerged, necessitating extensive land reclamation efforts in the decades since.
Prior to the 1917 disaster, Stavanger had a population of around 25,000 people. However, the catastrophic loss of life from the tsunami reduced the town's population to under 15,000 in the immediate aftermath.
Stavanger has struggled to regain its former population size, growing only slowly in the ensuing decades. As of 2020, the city has an estimated population of around 130,000, making it a relatively small regional center compared to its status as a major urban area in our timeline.
The demographics of Stavanger remain heavily influenced by its maritime heritage, with fishing and related industries continuing to play an outsized role in the local economy and culture.
Fishing and maritime trade have long been the mainstays of Stavanger's economy. Prior to 1917, the town was a thriving hub for the North Sea fishing industry, with a large fleet of fishing vessels operating out of its harbor.
The 1917 disaster devastated this critical industry, destroying much of the town's fishing infrastructure and equipment. In the decades since, Stavanger has struggled to fully rebuild its maritime economy, hampered by limited resources and the lasting effects of the catastrophe.
Other industries, such as shipbuilding and port operations, have also faced setbacks, limiting Stavanger's economic growth compared to other Norwegian cities. The town remains an important regional center, but has not achieved the same level of prosperity and economic dynamism as in our timeline.
Stavanger's culture remains firmly rooted in its maritime heritage and identity. Fishing, boating, and other sea-faring traditions continue to be celebrated, with the town's annual Sildajazz festival drawing visitors from across Norway.
However, the town's cultural life has also been profoundly shaped by the 1917 disaster. The devastating loss of life and destruction of so much of the town's physical fabric has left a deep emotional and psychological scar on the community. Memorials and commemorations of the event remain important parts of Stavanger's cultural landscape.
Despite the challenges, the people of Stavanger have shown resilience in the face of adversity, maintaining a strong sense of local pride and identity. The town continues to be known for its picturesque harbor, historic wooden buildings, and connections to Norway's seafaring heritage.
