Amateur Astronomer Confirms 390-Million-Year-Old Crater on Google Maps in Quebec

An amateur astronomer in Quebec has confirmed the discovery of a 15.5-mile-wide meteorite impact crater after spotting it on Google Maps while planning a camping trip. Joël Lapointe noticed the circular indentation in the Côte-Nord region in late 2023 but doubted his finding until geologists from Western University verified it in October 2025. The crater, now called Uhackatik, formed approximately 390 million years ago and ranks among the largest meteorite impact craters identified in recent years.

How an amateur astronomer spotted the crater

Joël Lapointe was browsing Google Maps to plot hiking routes for a summer camping trip when he noticed a strange ring-shaped indentation spanning 15.5 miles across in northeastern Quebec. The formation caught his attention because it resembled a meteorite crater. Lapointe checked multiple crater databases but found no record of it, so he submitted his hunch to experts rather than dismiss it.

Scientists confirm the ancient impact

Planetary geologist Gordon Osinski at Western University initially doubted the discovery but agreed to investigate after reviewing Lapointe’s report and preliminary rock samples. Osinski led an expedition to the remote site in October 2025, where the team encountered rugged terrain and challenging conditions. On day two, researchers identified shatter cones and impact melt rock, both formations caused by meteorite impacts. Osinski described the expedition as one of the most arduous he has undertaken in 25 Arctic trips and six continents.

Why this discovery matters to science

The crater, named Uhackatik following consultations with the Ekuanitshit Innu Council, is significant because confirmed meteorite impact craters are rare. Only about 200 are known worldwide, and newly discovered ones are uncommon. Canada holds a distinction for hosting many identified craters due to its ancient, stable bedrock that preserves these geological features. Researchers will present the findings at the 88th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society in Germany in August, where the discovery will be formally recognized in the scientific community.

What makes this discovery unusual

Most reports of suspected impact craters turn out to be false alarms, making Lapointe’s correct identification remarkable. Osinski receives frequent reports from the public through the Impact Earth database at Western University, but few prove genuine. The crater’s age of approximately 390 million years places it in the Devonian period. Its size and the clear geological evidence make it one of the largest meteorite impact craters confirmed in recent history.

Final Thoughts

Lapointe’s discovery demonstrates the value of citizen science and careful observation. The Uhackatik crater adds to scientific understanding of Earth’s impact history and will be formally presented to the international research community in August.

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