How Google Maps Led to the Discovery of a Likely Ancient Impact Crater
What if you could stumble upon an ancient meteorite impact crater while casually browsing Google Maps? That’s exactly what happened when an adventurous camper made a surprising discovery while planning a trip. As he scanned the satellite images, a peculiar formation caught his attention. This led to the identification of a possible ancient impact crater in the Quebec region of Canada. The discovery has sparked excitement among geologists, raising questions about how many more such hidden features may be uncovered using satellite images and tools like Google Maps.
In this blog, we will dive into the story of this Google Maps discovery, how scientists identify impact craters, and why the site at Marsal Lake might be more than just a geological curiosity. We will also explore how features like shatter cones and zircon help confirm the origin of these craters and discuss the broader implications for understanding Earth’s history.
The Story Behind the Google Maps Discovery
In September 2024, a camper named Joël Lapointe was browsing Google Maps to plan a trip in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, Canada. While scanning satellite images of the area, he noticed a large, circular depression near Marsal Lake, measuring about 15 kilometers across. The circular shape immediately seemed suspicious, and Lapointe, intrigued by the possibility of an impact site, reached out to geologists to investigate(PetaPixel).
Such Google Maps discoveries are rare but not unheard of. While tools like Google Maps and satellite images of craters allow users to explore Earth’s surface from above, most unusual formations turn out to be natural geological processes rather than signs of ancient collisions. However, the size and shape of this pit, along with the presence of certain minerals, suggested it could indeed be an ancient impact crater(PetaPixel).
What Are Impact Craters, and How Are They Formed?
An impact crater is formed when a space object, such as an asteroid or meteorite, crashes into a larger body like a planet. The force of the impact creates a distinct circular depression, often surrounded by ejecta—debris blasted out during the collision. Some craters can be small, while others stretch for miles, depending on the size and speed of the impacting object(Popular Mechanics).
Meteorite Impact Craters vs. Asteroid Impact Sites
Although the terms meteorite impact crater and asteroid impact site are often used interchangeably, there is a slight distinction. A meteorite is the fragment of an asteroid or comet that survives its journey through Earth’s atmosphere and strikes the ground, while an asteroid is a much larger object. Many of Earth’s craters have been created by meteorites, but larger asteroids are responsible for some of the planet’s most significant impact events(PetaPixel).
The Potential Marsal Lake Crater: Could It Be Real?
The potential crater near Marsal Lake stands out for its nearly perfect circular shape and size. While many geological processes can create circular formations, the depth and diameter of this pit led geophysicist Pierre Rochette and other experts to consider the possibility that it was formed by an ancient impact event. If true, this would be a significant discovery, as unconfirmed impact craters of this size are rare(PetaPixel).
Rochette’s team has begun studying samples from the site. Initial findings suggest the presence of zircon—a mineral often associated with impact events because it undergoes structural changes when subjected to extreme pressure. This evidence strengthens the case that the Quebec impact crater may indeed be the result of a meteorite or asteroid strike(PetaPixel).
Geological Markers: Zircon and Shatter Cones
When geologists set out to confirm whether a crater was created by an impact event, they look for specific geological markers. Two key features that can confirm a crater’s origin are zircon and shatter cones.
Zircon in Impact Craters
Zircon is a highly durable mineral that is often used to date rocks. When exposed to the extreme pressures and temperatures of an impact event, zircon undergoes changes in its crystal structure, providing clear evidence of a meteorite or asteroid strike. The discovery of altered zircon at the Marsal Lake crater supports the theory that it may have been formed by an ancient space rock(PetaPixel)(Google Sightseeing).
Shatter Cones in Craters
Another important indicator of an impact event is the presence of shatter cones. These are cone-shaped structures formed in rocks when they are subjected to the shock waves of an impact. The distinctive, radiating pattern of a shatter cone can only be created by a high-energy event like a meteorite collision. If shatter cones are found at the Marsal Lake site, it would provide even stronger evidence of its impact origin(PetaPixel).
How Satellite Images Are Changing Geological Discoveries
The rise of satellite imaging technology, including tools like Google Maps and Google Earth, has transformed how both professional geologists and amateur enthusiasts discover and study Earth’s surface. With these tools, people can search for circular formations that might indicate ancient impacts, though the majority of these discoveries turn out to be unrelated to asteroid or meteorite strikes.
The Role of Google Maps in Impact Crater Discoveries
Google Maps has proven to be an invaluable tool in identifying potential impact craters. Because of its high-resolution satellite imagery and accessibility, anyone with an internet connection can explore the planet from the comfort of their home. While most discoveries are of natural geological formations, there have been rare instances where Google Maps led to the discovery of previously unknown asteroid impact sites(PetaPixel).
For example, in 2020, a group of researchers used Google Earth to find an unconfirmed impact crater in Egypt’s Western Desert. This and the recent discovery near Marsal Lake highlight the increasing role that satellite images are playing in the field of geology.
The Importance of Identifying Impact Craters
Understanding and identifying impact craters is more than just a matter of curiosity. These craters hold critical information about the history of our planet and the solar system. Each meteorite impact crater provides clues about the size, speed, and composition of space objects that have collided with Earth, helping scientists predict and mitigate future impact threats.
Why the Marsal Lake Crater Matters
If the Marsal Lake structure is confirmed as an impact crater, it would join a small but significant list of known craters in Canada, a country already home to some of the world’s largest craters, like the Manicouagan Reservoir crater. Discoveries like these help scientists piece together Earth’s impact history and can even shed light on global extinction events or climate shifts caused by ancient asteroid impacts(Google Sightseeing)(PetaPixel).
Google Maps and the Search for Impact Craters
The discovery of a potential ancient impact crater near Marsal Lake demonstrates the exciting potential of using technology like Google Maps and satellite images to unlock Earth’s hidden secrets. As more discoveries are made, the field of impact geology will continue to expand, revealing more about the meteorite impact craters that have shaped our planet’s history.
Geologists will continue studying the zircon and other evidence from the Quebec site, but whether or not this turns out to be a confirmed crater, it marks another example of how technology is helping us understand Earth’s dynamic geological history.
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