Science
Satellite imagery leads to discovery of ancient impact crater in Quebec
Researchers identified an ancient 25-kilometer impact crater in Quebec after an amateur astronomer spotted circular terrain, ScienceDaily reports.
The short version
- Joël Lapointe identified a circular feature near Lake Marsal on satellite imagery while planning a trip in 2024.[ScienceDaily]
- Gordon Osinski led an expedition to the site in October 2025, uncovering shatter cones in rock outcrops.[ScienceDaily]
- The geological findings demonstrate the structure was formed by an impact roughly 390 million years ago rather than ancient volcanic activity.[ScienceDaily]
Key facts
- Joël Lapointe noticed a circular structure near Lake Marsal on satellite maps while planning a camping trip in 2024.[ScienceDaily]
- Planetary geologist Gordon Osinski organized a research expedition to the isolated Quebec location in October 2025.[ScienceDaily]
- Scientists located shatter cones in numerous rock outcrops, confirming an impact blasted the 25-kilometer structure around 390 million years ago.[ScienceDaily]
- Previous geological surveys had classified local rock formations as volcanic diatreme structures rather than an impact crater.[ScienceDaily]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- A strange circle on satellite maps turned out to be a 390-million-year-old impact craterScienceDaily - Science