Editing 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<br>[[Ordovician]] to [[Silurian]] age<ref name="SchmiederOthers2019a"/>
| 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.<ref name=EIDBCharlevoix>{{Cite Earth Impact DB |name=Charlevoix |accessdate=2017-10-09}}</ref> 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).<ref name="SchmiederOthers2019a">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.</ref> 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 [[Les Éboulements, Quebec|Mont des Éboulements]], situated in the exact centre of the impact structure, is interpreted as the central uplift, a consequence of elastic rebound.<ref name="grandsjardins">Interpretation Centre, Parc national des Grands-Jardins, Charlevoix</ref> 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 cone]]s 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.<ref name="grandsjardins"/>

== 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]]
[[Category:Silurian impact craters]]
[[Category:Ordovician Quebec]]
[[Category:Silurian Quebec]]
[[Category:Silurian southern paleotemperate deposits|.impact structure]]