Google Maps User Discovers Huge Meteorite Crater in Quebec

A Canadian amateur astronomer stumbled upon an enormous meteorite crater while planning a camping trip in Quebec's Côte-Nord region. Joël Lapointe used Google Maps to scroll through the area and noticed a circular scar pressed into the forest, roughly 25km across. Initially skeptical, he filed a report with Impact Earth, a crowdsourced crater registry, which led to further investigation.

Geologists from Western University in Ontario co-led an expedition to the site in October 2025, facing brutal ground and relentless bugs. On day two, they found shatter cones and large exposures of impact melt rock, confirming that the structure was indeed a meteorite crater.

The discovery, named Uhackatik, is significant because it's one of the largest confirmed meteorite craters in years, with about 200 known worldwide. The crater dates back to around 390 million years ago, long before dinosaurs existed. Its size and age make it a notable find, particularly considering its location on traditional Innu lands.

The team's findings will be presented at the Meteoritical Society's annual meeting in Frankfurt this month, ahead of peer review. This discovery highlights the importance of crowdsourced efforts and satellite imagery in uncovering new geographical features.