| Tunnunik impact structure | |
|---|---|
| Prince Albert impact crater | |
  Tunnunik impact structure Location of the Tunnunik Impact Crater in the Northwest Territories Show map of Northwest Territories Tunnunik impact structure Tunnunik impact structure (Canada) Show map of 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′N113°56′W / 72.467°N 113.933°W /72.467; -113.933 |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Northwest Territories |
TheTunnunik impact structure, formerly known as thePrince Albert Impact Crater, is a recently confirmedmeteorite impact structure.[1] It is located onPrince Albert Peninsula in the northwestern part ofVictoria Island[A] in Canada'sNorthwest Territories.[2]
The 25 km (16 mi) wide structure was discovered in 2010 by Brian Pratt, professor ofgeology at theUniversity of Saskatchewan, and Keith Dewing of theGeological 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 theOrdovician period, based mainly onpaleomagnetic 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.
^[A] Not to be confused with the unconfirmedVictoria Island structure inCalifornia, United States.
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.
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.
