Quebec impact crater discovered by amateur astronomer

An amateur astronomer, Joël Lapointe, has led researchers to a massive, previously unrecognized meteorite impact crater in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec. While planning a camping trip in 2024, Lapointe noticed a suspicious circular feature near Lake Marsal on satellite imagery and alerted specialists in North America and Europe.

Fieldwork conducted in 2025 by a team including planetary geologist Gordon Osinski of Western University provided strong evidence for the structure. Researchers discovered shatter cones, which are definitive indicators of an impact event. The crater, named Uhackatik following consultation with the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit, is estimated to be approximately 25 kilometers wide and roughly 390 million years old.

Although formal recognition by the Meteoritical Society is still pending, the research team considers the impact origin established. The discovery highlights how many impact structures may still remain hidden due to vegetation, erosion, or burial.