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The Manicouagan impact structure is one of the largest impact craters currently known on the surface of Earth. This shuttle oblique view looking south shows the prominent 70-kilometer-diameter, ice-covered annular lake that fills a ring where impact-brecciated rock has been eroded by glaciation. The lake surrounds the more erosion-resistant melt sheet created by impact into metamorphic and igneous rock types. Shock-metamorphic effects are abundant in the target rocks of the crater floor. Although the original rim has been removed, the distribution of shock-metamorphic effects and morphological comparisons with other impact structures indicate an original rim diameter of approximately 100 kilometers. Space shuttle image STS51B-43-060.) Location:
51°23'N, 68°42'W Right click here to download a high-resolution version of the image (10.7 MB) |
