Amateur Astronomer Finds 390-Million-Year-Old Meteor Crater While Scouting Google Maps

An amateur astronomer searching satellite maps for a potential camping location in Quebec accidentally discovered something far more extraordinary: a giant impact crater created by an asteroid roughly 390 million years ago.

The circular feature near Lake Marsal in the remote Côte-Nord region of Quebec initially looked like an unusual geological formation.

But after scientists investigated the site in the field, they found distinctive evidence of an ancient high-energy impact.

The newly recognized structure, named Uhackatik, stretches approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) across and is now considered essentially confirmed as an impact crater, although formal recognition by the Meteoritical Society is still expected.

The Discovery Started With a Camping Trip

In 2024, Quebec amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe was preparing for a camping trip to a remote part of Côte-Nord.

While examining online satellite maps, he noticed a strange circular feature near Lake Marsal.

The shape immediately caught his attention.

Lapointe suspected that the depression could be the remains of an ancient meteorite impact.

Instead of ignoring the unusual feature, he contacted scientists in Europe and North America to ask whether it might be significant.

His observation eventually triggered a scientific investigation that led researchers to the remote site.

Scientists Initially Thought It Could Be a Volcanic Structure

The discovery was not immediately accepted as an impact crater.

Earlier geological maps had suggested that the unusual rocks in the region could have formed through a volcanic process.

In particular, researchers considered the possibility that the structure was a diatreme — a funnel-shaped geological feature created when magma and fragmented rock move explosively toward the surface.

That explanation was plausible based on the existing geological information.

But a field expedition would eventually reveal evidence pointing in a very different direction.

Researchers Traveled to One of Quebec’s Most Remote Areas

In October 2025, planetary geologist Gordon Osinski and a team of researchers traveled to the site to investigate.

Getting there was not easy.

The team arrived by floatplane on Lake Marsal.

The aircraft could not reach the shoreline, forcing researchers to wade roughly 50 meters through the water while carrying their equipment.

Once ashore, they encountered rugged terrain, swamps, thick vegetation and large numbers of insects.

NASA Earth Observatory described the conditions as among the most challenging field environments Osinski had experienced.

The Rocks Revealed the Secret

The breakthrough came when scientists examined exposed rocks around the structure.

They discovered distinctive geological formations known as shatter cones.

These structures are created by the extreme pressures generated during high-energy impacts.

They are one of the strongest visible indicators that rocks have experienced a meteorite or asteroid impact.

The presence of shatter cones changed the interpretation of the entire site.

What had previously looked like a possible volcanic structure was instead showing unmistakable signs of an ancient cosmic collision.

The Crater Is About 25 Kilometers Wide

The newly identified impact structure is enormous.

Researchers estimate that the complex crater spans approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles).

It also contains a central uplift, a geological feature that forms when material rebounds upward after an enormous impact.

Tall cliffs and distinctive rock structures further support the interpretation that the site was created by a major collision.

This was not a small meteorite strike.

The object that created the structure was large enough to dramatically reshape the surrounding landscape.

The Impact Happened About 390 Million Years Ago

Rock samples indicate that the impact likely occurred approximately 390 million years ago.

That places the event deep in Earth’s geological history.

At that time, Earth’s continents looked dramatically different from today, and complex ecosystems were developing on land and in the oceans.

Dinosaurs would not appear for another hundred million years or more.

The asteroid impact therefore happened long before humans, mammals and even dinosaurs existed.

What Would Happen If an Impact This Size Happened Today?

Scientists say an impact capable of producing a crater of this scale would have devastating consequences.

Gordon Osinski told NASA Earth Observatory that an object of similar size striking Quebec today would cause regional devastation capable of destroying major cities and could have global climate effects.

The discovery therefore provides a geological record of just how powerful large asteroid impacts can be.

Earth’s surface has experienced many such collisions throughout its history.

Most evidence has disappeared through erosion, tectonic activity and geological recycling.

Earth Has Far Fewer Known Craters Than the Moon

The Moon is covered in visible impact craters.

Earth, by comparison, has relatively few confirmed impact structures.

NASA Earth Observatory notes that there are roughly 200 confirmed impact structures on Earth, while geologists estimate that hundreds more may remain undiscovered.

The difference exists because Earth’s surface is constantly changing.

Weather, erosion, vegetation, oceans and tectonic activity can gradually erase evidence of ancient impacts.

The Moon lacks Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and active plate tectonics, allowing craters to survive for billions of years.

Why Was the Crater Hidden for So Long?

The Uhackatik structure is located in a remote region of Quebec.

It is also heavily covered by vegetation and surrounded by lakes and rugged terrain.

From the ground, its enormous circular shape is difficult to appreciate.

Satellite imagery made the larger pattern much easier to recognize.

The discovery demonstrates how modern satellite maps can reveal geological structures that would otherwise remain extremely difficult to identify.

A Satellite Image Helped Reveal the Structure

NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite captured imagery showing the subtle circular shape of the Uhackatik impact structure.

The feature is not an obvious giant hole.

Instead, the crater appears as a broad circular depression and landscape pattern, with Lake Marsal positioned near its center.

That makes the discovery particularly interesting because the feature was hiding in plain sight.

The satellite image provided the clue, but geological fieldwork provided the evidence.

Why the Name Uhackatik?

After consulting with the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit, the research team chose the name Uhackatik for the crater.

The name connects the scientific discovery with the Indigenous community and region where the structure is located.

NASA says the team considers the crater essentially confirmed, while a Meteoritical Society committee is expected to formally recognize it during its next meeting.

This Is the Largest Impact Crater Discovered Since 2018

The discovery is particularly significant because of its size.

NASA Earth Observatory reports that Uhackatik is the largest impact crater discovered since the 31-kilometer Hiawatha structure was identified in Greenland in 2018.

That makes the Quebec discovery one of the most important additions to Earth’s known impact-crater record in recent years.

Could More Ancient Craters Still Be Hiding?

Almost certainly.

Scientists estimate that many impact structures remain undiscovered.

Some may be buried beneath sediment.

Others may have been heavily eroded or altered by geological processes.

Still others could be hidden beneath forests, deserts, oceans or ice.

Modern satellite imagery, geological databases and machine-learning techniques could help scientists identify additional candidates.

The Uhackatik discovery demonstrates that even a relatively simple visual observation can lead to an entirely new scientific discovery.

Citizen Science Can Make Real Discoveries

Perhaps the most remarkable part of the story is that the discovery did not begin in a major laboratory.

It began with an amateur astronomer looking at a map.

Lapointe noticed something unusual and decided to investigate rather than dismiss it.

His observation eventually attracted professional researchers and led to an expedition.

This is an excellent example of how citizen science can contribute to professional research.

Modern satellite imagery gives ordinary people access to information that was once available only to governments and scientific institutions.

The Moon and Earth Tell Different Impact Stories

Scientists study impact craters on the Moon partly because lunar craters preserve a record of collisions that can help researchers understand Earth’s own impact history.

The discovery of Uhackatik adds another piece to that record.

By examining the rocks and structure of ancient terrestrial craters, researchers can determine when major impacts occurred and how those events affected Earth’s environment.

Such information can also help scientists understand the broader history of asteroid impacts throughout the solar system.

Could the Impact Have Changed Earth’s Climate?

Researchers cannot reconstruct every environmental consequence of a 390-million-year-old impact with certainty.

However, impacts from sufficiently large objects can inject dust, gases and other material into the atmosphere.

Large enough collisions can affect sunlight, temperatures and ecosystems.

NASA notes that an object capable of creating a crater of Uhackatik’s scale would have the potential for global climate effects if it struck Earth today.

The exact environmental consequences of the ancient Uhackatik event remain an area for geological investigation.

Why This Discovery Matters Today

The discovery is more than a story about an ancient rock formation.

It demonstrates three important things.

First, Earth still contains geological secrets waiting to be found.

Second, satellite technology is changing how scientists search for those secrets.

Third, professional researchers are not the only people capable of noticing something scientifically important.

An amateur astronomer examining a satellite map for a completely different reason helped identify a structure that had remained unrecognized for millions of years.

Key Facts

• Name: Uhackatik impact structure
• Location: Quebec, Canada
• Near: Lake Marsal
• Discovery clue: Online satellite maps
• Original observer: Amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe
• Estimated age: About 390 million years
• Diameter: Approximately 25 kilometers
• Evidence: Shatter cones and impact-related geological structures
• Satellite: Landsat 8
• Expedition: October 2025
• Current status: Essentially confirmed; formal Meteoritical Society recognition expected
• Significance: Largest impact crater discovered since the 31-kilometer Hiawatha structure in 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

How was the 390-million-year-old crater discovered?

Amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe noticed a circular feature while examining online satellite maps while planning a camping trip in Quebec. He contacted researchers, eventually leading to a scientific investigation.

Where is the new impact crater?

The Uhackatik impact structure is in the remote Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada, near Lake Marsal.

How big is the crater?

The structure is approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) across.

How old is the crater?

Rock evidence indicates that the impact occurred approximately 390 million years ago.

How did scientists prove it was an impact crater?

Researchers found shatter cones, distinctive geological structures produced by the extreme pressures associated with high-energy impacts.

Is the crater officially confirmed?

The research team considers the crater essentially confirmed, but formal recognition by a Meteoritical Society committee is expected at its next meeting.

Could another asteroid make a crater this large today?

A sufficiently large asteroid could produce enormous regional destruction and potentially affect the global climate. Scientists say an impact capable of creating a structure of this size today would be catastrophic.

Can people discover craters using Google Maps?

Satellite imagery can reveal circular geological features that may indicate impact structures, but identifying a true impact crater requires geological investigation and scientific evidence.

Conclusion

A strange circle spotted on a satellite map has led scientists to one of Earth’s newest recognized impact structures.

The Uhackatik crater in Quebec was created roughly 390 million years ago and stretches about 25 kilometers across.

Its discovery is unusual not only because of its age and size, but because the first clue came from an amateur astronomer searching for a camping location.

Scientists later traveled to the remote site and found shatter cones and other evidence confirming that the structure was created by a powerful cosmic impact.

The discovery is a reminder that Earth’s geological history is far from completely understood.

And somewhere beneath forests, ice, oceans and mountains, there may still be hundreds of other ancient impact structures waiting to be found.

Sometimes, the next major scientific discovery may begin with nothing more than someone noticing something strange on a map.

Sources & References

Primary source: NASA Earth Observatory — An Accidental Impact Crater Discovery.

Scientific context: Meteoritical Society / Impact Cratering Committee research and the 2026 presentation on the Uhackatik impact structure.

Satellite data: Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), with imagery processed by NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Editorial note: The crater is considered essentially confirmed by the research team, while formal recognition by the Meteoritical Society is still expected. The estimated age and size are based on the geological investigation described by NASA Earth Observatory.

An amateur astronomer searching satellite maps for a potential camping location in Quebec accidentally discovered something far more extraordinary: a giant impact crater created by an asteroid roughly 390 million years ago.

The circular feature near Lake Marsal in the remote Côte-Nord region of Quebec initially looked like an unusual geological formation.

But after scientists investigated the site in the field, they found distinctive evidence of an ancient high-energy impact.

The newly recognized structure, named Uhackatik, stretches approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) across and is now considered essentially confirmed as an impact crater, although formal recognition by the Meteoritical Society is still expected.

The Discovery Started With a Camping Trip

In 2024, Quebec amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe was preparing for a camping trip to a remote part of Côte-Nord.

While examining online satellite maps, he noticed a strange circular feature near Lake Marsal.

The shape immediately caught his attention.

Lapointe suspected that the depression could be the remains of an ancient meteorite impact.

Instead of ignoring the unusual feature, he contacted scientists in Europe and North America to ask whether it might be significant.

His observation eventually triggered a scientific investigation that led researchers to the remote site.

Scientists Initially Thought It Could Be a Volcanic Structure

The discovery was not immediately accepted as an impact crater.

Earlier geological maps had suggested that the unusual rocks in the region could have formed through a volcanic process.

In particular, researchers considered the possibility that the structure was a diatreme — a funnel-shaped geological feature created when magma and fragmented rock move explosively toward the surface.

That explanation was plausible based on the existing geological information.

But a field expedition would eventually reveal evidence pointing in a very different direction.

Researchers Traveled to One of Quebec’s Most Remote Areas

In October 2025, planetary geologist Gordon Osinski and a team of researchers traveled to the site to investigate.

Getting there was not easy.

The team arrived by floatplane on Lake Marsal.

The aircraft could not reach the shoreline, forcing researchers to wade roughly 50 meters through the water while carrying their equipment.

Once ashore, they encountered rugged terrain, swamps, thick vegetation and large numbers of insects.

NASA Earth Observatory described the conditions as among the most challenging field environments Osinski had experienced.

The Rocks Revealed the Secret

The breakthrough came when scientists examined exposed rocks around the structure.

They discovered distinctive geological formations known as shatter cones.

These structures are created by the extreme pressures generated during high-energy impacts.

They are one of the strongest visible indicators that rocks have experienced a meteorite or asteroid impact.

The presence of shatter cones changed the interpretation of the entire site.

What had previously looked like a possible volcanic structure was instead showing unmistakable signs of an ancient cosmic collision.

The Crater Is About 25 Kilometers Wide

The newly identified impact structure is enormous.

Researchers estimate that the complex crater spans approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles).

It also contains a central uplift, a geological feature that forms when material rebounds upward after an enormous impact.

Tall cliffs and distinctive rock structures further support the interpretation that the site was created by a major collision.

This was not a small meteorite strike.

The object that created the structure was large enough to dramatically reshape the surrounding landscape.

The Impact Happened About 390 Million Years Ago

Rock samples indicate that the impact likely occurred approximately 390 million years ago.

That places the event deep in Earth’s geological history.

At that time, Earth’s continents looked dramatically different from today, and complex ecosystems were developing on land and in the oceans.

Dinosaurs would not appear for another hundred million years or more.

The asteroid impact therefore happened long before humans, mammals and even dinosaurs existed.

What Would Happen If an Impact This Size Happened Today?

Scientists say an impact capable of producing a crater of this scale would have devastating consequences.

Gordon Osinski told NASA Earth Observatory that an object of similar size striking Quebec today would cause regional devastation capable of destroying major cities and could have global climate effects.

The discovery therefore provides a geological record of just how powerful large asteroid impacts can be.

Earth’s surface has experienced many such collisions throughout its history.

Most evidence has disappeared through erosion, tectonic activity and geological recycling.

Earth Has Far Fewer Known Craters Than the Moon

The Moon is covered in visible impact craters.

Earth, by comparison, has relatively few confirmed impact structures.

NASA Earth Observatory notes that there are roughly 200 confirmed impact structures on Earth, while geologists estimate that hundreds more may remain undiscovered.

The difference exists because Earth’s surface is constantly changing.

Weather, erosion, vegetation, oceans and tectonic activity can gradually erase evidence of ancient impacts.

The Moon lacks Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and active plate tectonics, allowing craters to survive for billions of years.

Why Was the Crater Hidden for So Long?

The Uhackatik structure is located in a remote region of Quebec.

It is also heavily covered by vegetation and surrounded by lakes and rugged terrain.

From the ground, its enormous circular shape is difficult to appreciate.

Satellite imagery made the larger pattern much easier to recognize.

The discovery demonstrates how modern satellite maps can reveal geological structures that would otherwise remain extremely difficult to identify.

A Satellite Image Helped Reveal the Structure

NASA’s Landsat 8 satellite captured imagery showing the subtle circular shape of the Uhackatik impact structure.

The feature is not an obvious giant hole.

Instead, the crater appears as a broad circular depression and landscape pattern, with Lake Marsal positioned near its center.

That makes the discovery particularly interesting because the feature was hiding in plain sight.

The satellite image provided the clue, but geological fieldwork provided the evidence.

Why the Name Uhackatik?

After consulting with the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit, the research team chose the name Uhackatik for the crater.

The name connects the scientific discovery with the Indigenous community and region where the structure is located.

NASA says the team considers the crater essentially confirmed, while a Meteoritical Society committee is expected to formally recognize it during its next meeting.

This Is the Largest Impact Crater Discovered Since 2018

The discovery is particularly significant because of its size.

NASA Earth Observatory reports that Uhackatik is the largest impact crater discovered since the 31-kilometer Hiawatha structure was identified in Greenland in 2018.

That makes the Quebec discovery one of the most important additions to Earth’s known impact-crater record in recent years.

Could More Ancient Craters Still Be Hiding?

Almost certainly.

Scientists estimate that many impact structures remain undiscovered.

Some may be buried beneath sediment.

Others may have been heavily eroded or altered by geological processes.

Still others could be hidden beneath forests, deserts, oceans or ice.

Modern satellite imagery, geological databases and machine-learning techniques could help scientists identify additional candidates.

The Uhackatik discovery demonstrates that even a relatively simple visual observation can lead to an entirely new scientific discovery.

Citizen Science Can Make Real Discoveries

Perhaps the most remarkable part of the story is that the discovery did not begin in a major laboratory.

It began with an amateur astronomer looking at a map.

Lapointe noticed something unusual and decided to investigate rather than dismiss it.

His observation eventually attracted professional researchers and led to an expedition.

This is an excellent example of how citizen science can contribute to professional research.

Modern satellite imagery gives ordinary people access to information that was once available only to governments and scientific institutions.

The Moon and Earth Tell Different Impact Stories

Scientists study impact craters on the Moon partly because lunar craters preserve a record of collisions that can help researchers understand Earth’s own impact history.

The discovery of Uhackatik adds another piece to that record.

By examining the rocks and structure of ancient terrestrial craters, researchers can determine when major impacts occurred and how those events affected Earth’s environment.

Such information can also help scientists understand the broader history of asteroid impacts throughout the solar system.

Could the Impact Have Changed Earth’s Climate?

Researchers cannot reconstruct every environmental consequence of a 390-million-year-old impact with certainty.

However, impacts from sufficiently large objects can inject dust, gases and other material into the atmosphere.

Large enough collisions can affect sunlight, temperatures and ecosystems.

NASA notes that an object capable of creating a crater of Uhackatik’s scale would have the potential for global climate effects if it struck Earth today.

The exact environmental consequences of the ancient Uhackatik event remain an area for geological investigation.

Why This Discovery Matters Today

The discovery is more than a story about an ancient rock formation.

It demonstrates three important things.

First, Earth still contains geological secrets waiting to be found.

Second, satellite technology is changing how scientists search for those secrets.

Third, professional researchers are not the only people capable of noticing something scientifically important.

An amateur astronomer examining a satellite map for a completely different reason helped identify a structure that had remained unrecognized for millions of years.

Key Facts

• Name: Uhackatik impact structure
• Location: Quebec, Canada
• Near: Lake Marsal
• Discovery clue: Online satellite maps
• Original observer: Amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe
• Estimated age: About 390 million years
• Diameter: Approximately 25 kilometers
• Evidence: Shatter cones and impact-related geological structures
• Satellite: Landsat 8
• Expedition: October 2025
• Current status: Essentially confirmed; formal Meteoritical Society recognition expected
• Significance: Largest impact crater discovered since the 31-kilometer Hiawatha structure in 2018

Frequently Asked Questions

How was the 390-million-year-old crater discovered?

Amateur astronomer Joël Lapointe noticed a circular feature while examining online satellite maps while planning a camping trip in Quebec. He contacted researchers, eventually leading to a scientific investigation.

Where is the new impact crater?

The Uhackatik impact structure is in the remote Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada, near Lake Marsal.

How big is the crater?

The structure is approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) across.

How old is the crater?

Rock evidence indicates that the impact occurred approximately 390 million years ago.

How did scientists prove it was an impact crater?

Researchers found shatter cones, distinctive geological structures produced by the extreme pressures associated with high-energy impacts.

Is the crater officially confirmed?

The research team considers the crater essentially confirmed, but formal recognition by a Meteoritical Society committee is expected at its next meeting.

Could another asteroid make a crater this large today?

A sufficiently large asteroid could produce enormous regional destruction and potentially affect the global climate. Scientists say an impact capable of creating a structure of this size today would be catastrophic.

Can people discover craters using Google Maps?

Satellite imagery can reveal circular geological features that may indicate impact structures, but identifying a true impact crater requires geological investigation and scientific evidence.

Conclusion

A strange circle spotted on a satellite map has led scientists to one of Earth’s newest recognized impact structures.

The Uhackatik crater in Quebec was created roughly 390 million years ago and stretches about 25 kilometers across.

Its discovery is unusual not only because of its age and size, but because the first clue came from an amateur astronomer searching for a camping location.

Scientists later traveled to the remote site and found shatter cones and other evidence confirming that the structure was created by a powerful cosmic impact.

The discovery is a reminder that Earth’s geological history is far from completely understood.

And somewhere beneath forests, ice, oceans and mountains, there may still be hundreds of other ancient impact structures waiting to be found.

Sometimes, the next major scientific discovery may begin with nothing more than someone noticing something strange on a map.

Sources & References

Primary source: NASA Earth Observatory — An Accidental Impact Crater Discovery.

Scientific context: Meteoritical Society / Impact Cratering Committee research and the 2026 presentation on the Uhackatik impact structure.

Satellite data: Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), with imagery processed by NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey.

Editorial note: The crater is considered essentially confirmed by the research team, while formal recognition by the Meteoritical Society is still expected. The estimated age and size are based on the geological investigation described by NASA Earth Observatory.