Amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe discovered a previously unidentified meteor crater while exploring Côte-Nord, Canada, on Google Maps. The crater, now named the Joël-Lapointe-Meteor-Crater, is estimated to be 390 million years old and spans approximately 15 miles. Following Lapointe’s discovery, planetary geology professor Gordon Osinski and his team conducted further investigations, confirming the crater’s existence through satellite data and on-site expeditions. They found significant geological features, including impact melt rock and shatter cones, which provided evidence of the crater’s formation. The crater is now recognized as a five-star tourist attraction and has been officially named ‘Uhaachatik’ in collaboration with local Indigenous representatives.
Why It Matters
The discovery of the Joël-Lapointe-Meteor-Crater highlights the importance of citizen science in uncovering geological features that may have otherwise remained unnoticed. Earth is constantly bombarded by space rocks, with an estimated 10,000 kilograms of material entering the atmosphere daily. Despite this, only around 200 craters have been identified on Earth, suggesting that many remain hidden or unexplored, particularly underwater. The verification of this crater adds to the understanding of meteor impacts and their geological effects, emphasizing the need for continued exploration and research in planetary science.
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