A 390-million-year-old impact crater has been identified near Lake Marsal in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada, after a resident discovered the unique circular structure while planning a camping trip on Google Maps. The site, now named Uhackatik, represents a rare geological find that researchers confirmed following a field expedition, as reported by DetikInet.
Discovery of the Marsal Structure
The search for a camping location led Joël Lapointe to notice a distinct 15-kilometer-wide circular landscape surrounding Lake Marsal. Suspecting the formation might be an ancient impact crater, Lapointe reached out to geophysicist Pierre Rochette of the Environmental Geosciences Research and Teaching Center (CEREGE) in France. According to reports from CBC and SuaraGarut.ID, Rochette initially analyzed the topography and found it highly indicative of an impact event.
Field Verification and Geological Evidence
While previous interpretations categorized the area as a volcaniclastic diatreme—specifically the "Marsal breccia"—the research team presented new findings at the 86th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society in 2024. They argued the site is more consistent with clast-poor melt rocks found at the base of impact craters, similar to the Mistastin and Janisjarvi sites.
To confirm these findings, a team including planetary geologist Gordon Osinski of Western University traveled to the lake by amphibious aircraft. Upon arrival, the team identified "shatter cones," which are cone-shaped features in rock created by the shock waves of a high-velocity impact. NASA has described these features as the only undeniable evidence of an impact event visible to the naked eye in the field.
Naming and Regional Impact
The team collaborated with the local Ekuanitshit Innu indigenous community to name the site Uhackatik. While the Meteoritical Society has not yet formally added the site to its database of approximately 200 confirmed impact structures, researchers expect official confirmation to follow during the committee’s next meeting.
Osinski noted that a meteor of this magnitude hitting Earth today would cause regional destruction, potentially obliterating major cities and altering the global climate. The team’s analysis of rock samples places the event approximately 390 million years ago, a timeframe that predates modern human civilization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many impact craters are currently recognized on Earth?
There are approximately 200 confirmed impact structures currently identified on the planet. Researchers believe more remain undiscovered, potentially hidden in remote areas visible through satellite imagery and digital mapping tools.
What is a shatter cone?
A shatter cone is a geological feature consisting of radiating fractures in rock. These are formed by the intense shock waves generated during a meteorite impact and are considered definitive proof of such an event.
Why is the Uhackatik discovery significant?
The discovery is significant because it provides new evidence of a major geological event that had been previously misidentified. It highlights the role that amateur observation and modern mapping technology can play in identifying rare terrestrial impact sites.
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