Tunnunik impact structure

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 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′N 113°56′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

^[A] Not to be confused with the unconfirmed Victoria Island structure in California, United States.