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While browsing Google Maps while planning a hike in Quebec, Joel Lapointe discovered an unusual spherical structure near Lake Marsal. It may turn out to be the place of the fall of the ancient asteroid.
This attracted the attention of geophysicists, who suggested that the formation found by Lapointe could have arisen as a result of a collision with a space object.
Lapointe turned to geophysicist Pierre Rochette of the French Center for Environmental Geological Research (CEREGE). The team explored the region and found similar features to known impact craters such as Mystastin and Janisjärvi. Scientists assume, that this structure, previously thought to be volcanic, may be the result of an asteroid impact.
Samples collected from the site showed the presence of silicates, magnetite, and zircon — key signatures of impact rock. Based on the data, the team believes that the impact could have occurred between 450 and 38 million years ago.
If the hypothesis is confirmed, Lake Marsal will become the 11th official impact structure in Quebec. Scientists plan to conduct additional research on the site for final verification of the discovery.
