Charlevoix impact structure
{{Short description|Asteroid impact site in Quebec, Canada}}
{{Infobox terrestrial impact site
| name = Charlevoix impact structure
| other_name = Charlevoix crater
| photo = Charlevoix Meteorite Crater.jpg
| photo_size =
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Landsat image of the impact structure. The inner circle marks an early estimate of the diameter; the outer circle indicates a more recent size estimate
| map = Canada#Canada Quebec
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of the impact structure in Canada
| map_size =
| location =
| label =
| label_position =
| coordinates = {{coord|47|32|N|70|18|W|scale:500000|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_ref =
| confidence = Confirmed
| diameter = {{convert|54|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| depth =
| rise =
| imp_size =
| age = 450 ± 20 Ma
Ordovician to Silurian age
| exposed = Yes
| drilled = Yes
| bolide = Stony meteorite
| translation =
| language =
| pronunciation =
| topo =
| access =
| country = Canada
| state = Quebec
| province =
| district =
| municipality = Charlevoix
}}
The Charlevoix impact structure is a large eroded meteorite impact structure in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, Canada.{{Cite Earth Impact DB |name=Charlevoix |accessdate=2017-10-09}} Only part of the impact structure is exposed at the surface, the rest lying beneath the Saint Lawrence River.
Description
The original impact structure is estimated to have been {{convert|54|km|mi}} in diameter and the age of the impact is estimated to be 450 ± 20 million years (Ordovician to Silurian age).Schmieder, M., Shaulis, B.J., Lapen, T.J., Buchner, E. and Kring, D.A., 2019. In situ U–Pb analysis of shocked zircon from the Charlevoix impact structure, Québec, Canada. Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 54(8) pp. 1808-1827. The projectile was probably a stony asteroid, at least {{convert|2|km|mi}} in diameter, and weighing an estimated {{convert|15|billion tonne|e9ST|abbr=off|lk=on}}. The Mont des Éboulements, situated in the exact centre of the impact structure, is interpreted as the central uplift, a consequence of elastic rebound.Interpretation Centre, Parc national des Grands-Jardins, Charlevoix The impact structure is classified as a multi-ringed basin with a central uplift.
The impact origin of Charlevoix impact structure was first realized in 1965 after the discovery of many shatter cones in the area. Other evidence for impact includes planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz and feldspar grains.
In contrast to the surrounding craggy Laurentian Mountains, the impact structure is relatively smooth and flat, which has facilitated human settlement. Today, 90% of the people of Charlevoix live within this impact structure.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303163600/http://www.passc.net/EarthImpactDatabase/charlevoix.html Earth Impact Database]
- [https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=47.519989,-70.300140&spn=0.891266,0.951691&z=7&t=k&hl=en Satellite image of the region] (from Google Maps)
- [http://craterexplorer.ca/charlevoix-impact-structure/ Aerial Exploration of the Charlevoix Structure]
{{Impact cratering on Earth}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Impact craters of Quebec
Category:Ordovician impact craters