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

An amateur astronomer in Quebec stumbled upon one of Canada’s most significant geological discoveries while browsing Google Maps. Joël Lapointe spotted a strange 15.5-mile-wide ring-shaped indentation in the Côte-Nord region in 2023 but doubted his find. Scientists confirmed his hunch in October 2025 after an expedition identified shatter cones and impact melt-rock, proving a meteorite struck the site around 390 million years ago.

How an amateur spotted what experts missed

Joël Lapointe was plotting a summer hiking trip in Quebec when he noticed an unusual circular indentation on Google Maps. The formation spanned 15.5 miles across and formed a clear ring pattern. Lapointe checked multiple crater databases but found no record of it, so he submitted his discovery to planetary scientists for verification.

Scientists confirm the ancient impact

Gordon Osinski, a planetary geologist at Canada’s Western University, initially doubted Lapointe’s find. But in October 2025, Osinski led an expedition to the site despite harsh terrain and numerous insects. On the second day, the team discovered shatter cones, cone-shaped rock formations caused by meteorite shock waves, and impact melt-rock. These findings confirmed the crater formed around 390 million years ago. Osinski called the expedition one of the most difficult he has conducted across 25 Arctic trips and six continents.

A rare case of a real new crater discovery

The crater, now named Uhackatik, represents a rare confirmation of a newly reported impact site. Most suspected craters turn out to be geological formations or errors. Lapointe’s findings are due to be presented at the 88th Annual Meteoritical Society Meeting in Germany in August 2026. The discovery can be viewed on Google Maps at coordinates 51°13’57.3″N, 64°39’53.0″W by zooming out to see the crater’s circular shape.

Why this matters for science

The confirmation adds a significant entry to the global database of impact craters. Osinski manages the Impact Earth website, which catalogs known craters worldwide. New verified discoveries help scientists understand Earth’s collision history and refine models of planetary impacts. Lapointe’s discovery demonstrates that amateur observers using freely available satellite imagery can still make meaningful contributions to geological science.

Final Thoughts

Lapointe’s discovery proves that careful observation of publicly available data can yield scientific breakthroughs. The 390-million-year-old crater now stands as a testament to both amateur curiosity and rigorous scientific verification.

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