Île Rouleau crater facts for kids
 Île Rouleau crater
Location in Canada
Île Rouleau crater
Location in Quebec
|
|
| Impact crater/structure | |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Confirmed |
| Diameter | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Age | <300 Ma Permian or younger |
| Exposed | Partly |
| Drilled | No |
| Location | |
| Location | Lake Mistassini |
| Coordinates | 50°41′N 73°53′W / 50.683°N 73.883°W |
| Country |  Canada |
| State | Quebec |
| Province | Nord-du-Québec |
| Municipality | Baie-James |
Île Rouleau is a special place in Quebec, Canada. It's actually an impact crater, which is a big bowl-shaped hole made when something from space, like a meteor, crashes into Earth! This crater is found on a tiny, uninhabited island in the middle of a huge lake called Lake Mistassini.
What is the Île Rouleau Crater?
The Île Rouleau crater is a fascinating example of how powerful space rocks can be. An impact crater forms when a large object from space, like an asteroid or a comet, hits the surface of a planet or moon. When this happens, it creates a huge explosion and digs out a round hole. Over time, these craters can change. They might fill with water, get covered by dirt, or wear away due to weather.
Where is the Île Rouleau Crater Located?
This unique crater is in Baie-James, a large area in Quebec, Canada. You can find it right in the center of the province. It sits on a small island within Lake Mistassini, which is a very big lake. Most of the crater is actually hidden under the lake's water, with only a part of it visible on the island.
How Big is it and How Old?
The Île Rouleau crater is quite large! It measures about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) across. Imagine a circle 4 kilometers wide – that's how big this ancient impact site is.
Scientists estimate that this crater is less than 300 million years old. That might sound incredibly old, but in Earth's long history, it's relatively recent. It formed during a time called the Permian period or even more recently. The Permian period was a long time ago, even before the dinosaurs first appeared!
