Man Claims to Spot Massive Pre-Dinosaur Meteor Crater on Google Maps

A Canadian man scrolling through Google Maps has stumbled upon what could be a massive meteor impact crater hidden in plain sight in northern Quebec. Joël Lapointe, a local resident, noticed a perfectly circular depression near the Magpie Reservoir in the Côte-Nord region. He contacted scientists, who now believe it could be an ancient impact structure, potentially older than the dinosaurs.

What Was Spotted on the Map?

The circular formation spans roughly 15 kilometres in diameter. Lapointe, who has an interest in geology, told local media that the structure looked too symmetrical to be natural. He cross-referenced satellite imagery and found no existing records of the feature being studied as a crater.

Geologists from the Université du Québec à Montréal have since examined the site. Preliminary assessments indicate the shape and surrounding rock formations are consistent with a large meteor impact. The crater lies in a remote area, buried under forest and partially submerged by a hydroelectric reservoir built in the 1950s.

Why It Matters: Older Than Dinosaurs

If confirmed, the crater could date back over 600 million years. That would place it in the Precambrian era, long before the first dinosaurs appeared. The impact likely occurred when the region was part of a massive continent called Laurentia.

Dr. Pierre Bédard, a geologist involved in the initial review, said the site's age is estimated based on the surrounding bedrock. The crater's rim is heavily eroded, suggesting it is extremely old. “We are cautiously excited,” Bédard told reporters. “If this is a confirmed impact, it would be one of the largest known in Canada.”

What Comes Next for the Discovery

The team is planning a field expedition to collect rock samples. They will look for shatter cones—distinctive fractures caused by high-pressure shock waves—and microscopic evidence of impact, such as shocked quartz. These are the telltale signs that separate a real crater from a geological oddity.

The discovery has sparked interest among planetary scientists, who often use Earth's craters to study impact processes on other planets. A confirmed crater of this size would also help refine models of how often large asteroids struck Earth in deep time.

A Reminder of Hidden Geological Treasures

Lapointe's find is a reminder that even in the age of satellite mapping, Earth still holds secrets. The Magpie Reservoir structure was overlooked for decades, partly because of its remote location and the thick forest cover. Similar features have been discovered by amateurs in the past, including the 28-km-wide Manicouagan crater, also in Quebec, which is visible from space.

Officials at the Geological Survey of Canada have not yet commented on the find. Lapointe, for his part, is waiting for the experts to confirm his hunch. “I just saw something weird on a map,” he said. “I never expected it might rewrite the history of this region.”

The planned field expedition is expected to take place next summer. Until then, the crater remains what scientists call a “candidate” impact structure—a promising site that still needs proof. If confirmed, it will join a handful of known craters that predate the rise of complex life on Earth.