Couture crater facts for kids
| Lac Couture | |
Landsat image of Lac Couture (September 2015)
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| Impact crater/structure | |
|---|---|
| Confidence | Confirmed |
| Diameter | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Exposed | Yes |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 60°36′N 75°43′W / 60.600°N 75.717°W |
| Country | Canada |
| State | Quebec |
 Location in Quebec
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Lac Couture is a large lake located in Northern Quebec, Canada. It is found near Hudson Bay in the Kativik territory. This impressive lake is more than just a body of water; it actually fills a giant bowl-shaped hole in the ground called an impact crater. This crater was formed millions of years ago when a space rock, like an asteroid, crashed into Earth.
What is Lac Couture?
Lac Couture is a deep lake, about 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) deep. It is found in the vast northern part of Quebec, Canada. This area is part of the Kativik territory, a wild and beautiful region near the famous Hudson Bay.
The Impact Crater
Most of Lac Couture covers a huge impact crater that is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) wide. Scientists believe this crater was formed around 430 million years ago, during a time in Earth's history called the Silurian period.
How Do We Know It's a Crater?
Scientists have found several clues that show Lac Couture is an impact crater:
- Special Rocks: Around the islands in the lake, there are boulders made of a type of rock called breccia. Breccia is formed when rocks are broken into pieces and then cemented back together, often by the extreme force of an impact.
- Central Uplift: In the middle of the lake, the floor rises up about 25 meters (82 feet). This is called a central uplift. It's a common feature in larger impact craters, where the ground bounces back up after the initial shock of the impact.
- Complex Shape: The presence of a central uplift suggests that the crater has a complex morphology. This means it's not just a simple bowl shape, but has more detailed features due to the powerful impact.
These clues help scientists confirm that Lac Couture is indeed an ancient impact site, now filled with water.
