The Tunnunik impact structure, formerly known as the Prince Albert Impact Crater, is a recently confirmed meteorite impact structure.[1] It is located on Prince Albert Peninsula in the northwestern part of Victoria Island[A] in Canada's Northwest Territories.[2]
| Tunnunik impact structure | |
|---|---|
| Prince Albert impact crater | |
  Tunnunik impact structure Location of the Tunnunik Impact Crater in the Northwest Territories  Tunnunik impact structure Tunnunik impact structure (Canada) | |
| Impact crater/structure | |
| Confidence | Confirmed |
| Diameter | ~25 km (16 mi) |
| Age | ~450–430 million years |
| Exposed | Yes |
| Location | |
| Location | Prince Albert Peninsula |
| Coordinates | 72°28′N 113°56′W / 72.467°N 113.933°W |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Northwest Territories |
The 25 km (16 mi) wide structure was discovered in 2010 by Brian Pratt, professor of geology at the University of Saskatchewan, and Keith Dewing of the Geological Survey of Canada during an aerial survey of the region.[3] The structure is estimated to have formed between 450 and 430 million years ago, during the Ordovician period, based mainly on paleomagnetic analysis.[4] It is estimated that it was created when a meteor a few kilometres in diameter struck the Earth.[5] The desert-like landscape of impact structure like Tunnunik can be useful in understanding the geology of other rocky planets such as Mars.[6]
It is Canada's 30th known meteorite impact feature.
Notes
edit^[A] Not to be confused with the unconfirmed Victoria Island structure in California, United States.
References
edit- ^ "Tunnunik (Prince Albert)". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
- ^
"Researchers discover new impact crater in the Arctic". University of Saskatchewan. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013.
The researchers discovered the crater two summers ago while exploring the area by helicopter for the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals program, and it took two years to properly assemble the geological maps and submit their article for publication. Pratt and Dewing named the new discovery the Prince Albert impact crater after the peninsula where it is situated. Note: Geographic coordinates are in the comments section.
- ^
"Meteor crater: Huge hole 25 kilometres wide discovered in Arctic, but was it made by a meteorite?". Saskatoon: The Toronto Star. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013.
Pratt said he and Dewing knew from earlier surveys of the remote area that dipping, and even vertical rock faces, had been found on Victoria Island, so they wanted to check them out. Most rocks in the Arctic have horizontal strata and have never been folded or faulted by tectonic pressure, Pratt explained.
- ^ Lepaulard, C.; Gattacceca, J.; Swanson-Hysell, N.; Quesnel, Y.; Demory, F.; Osonski, G.R. (2019). "A Paleozoic age for the Tunnunik impact structure". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 54 (4): 740–751. doi:10.1111/maps.13239.
- ^ Dewing, K.; Pratt, B.R.; Hadlari, T.; Brent, T.; Bédard, J.; Rainbird, R.H. (2013). "Newly identified "Tunnunik" impact structure, Prince Albert Peninsula, northwestern Victoria Island, Arctic Canada". Meteoritics & Planetary Science. 48 (2): 211–223. doi:10.1111/maps.12052.
- ^ Kate Kyle (2015). Victoria Island impact crater lures scientists, astronauts. CBC News 2015
