Next month’s Meteoritical Society meeting in Germany will be the first major public test of evidence for a 15-kilometre Quebec structure that researchers think may be a 390-million-year-old impact crater.
Google Maps set the investigation in motion after Quebec resident Daniel Breton spotted a near-perfect ring, prompting Gordon Osinski’s team to study satellite imagery, geological maps and then collect rock samples on site.
Fieldwork found altered rocks and landscape patterns consistent with known impact sites, but researchers say only laboratory analysis and peer-reviewed work can confirm whether extreme shock features are present.
If validated, the remote Quebec site would join Canada’s roster of confirmed impact craters and could sharpen understanding of ancient collisions that reshaped Earth’s surface.
With key evidence found, what final proof is needed to confirm Canada's newest giant meteor crater?
Could this ancient Quebec crater hide mineral riches like other famous impact sites?
How did a hobbyist on Google Maps find a crater hidden for 400 million years?
Discovery and Validation of the 390-Million-Year-Old Uhackatik Meteor Crater: From Citizen Science to Scientific Breakthrough
Overview
The discovery of the Uhackatik crater began when amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe spotted a suspicious feature on Google Maps in Quebec's Côte-Nord region in 2024. His keen observation led to professional scientists launching field investigations, where a team including Gordon Osinski collected geological samples and made detailed observations. During these expeditions, Jérôme Gattacceca identified shatter cones, providing strong evidence of a meteorite impact. This collaborative effort between citizen science and experts highlights how curiosity and teamwork can lead to significant scientific breakthroughs, with the crater now undergoing further validation and international review.