Google Maps User Discovers Massive Meteorite Impact Crater in Quebec
A Canadian amateur astronomer used Google Maps to plan a camping trip in Quebec when he stumbled upon an unusual circular pattern that caught his eye. Joël Lapointe suspected it was a meteorite impact crater, and further investigation confirmed his hunch.
The crater, named Uhaachatik Crater after consultation with the Ekuanitshit Innu council, measures 15.5 miles in diameter and is one of the largest impact structures identified in recent years. Researchers found evidence of a meteorite impact, including zircon and shatter cones, which form when shockwaves pass through soil.
The team led by Gordon Osinski used lab tests to determine that the crater was formed around 390 million years ago. This discovery is significant because it highlights the importance of mapping products like Google Maps in uncovering hidden points of interest.