# A Quebec amateur astronomer was scouting a campsite using satellite imagery in 2024 when he spotted a 25-kilometre ring around Lake Marsal, and geologists who reached it by floatplane the following year found shatter cones confirming a roughly 390-milli

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-09-21 20:00 UTC · Category: Science

## Executive Summary
A Quebec amateur astronomer used satellite imagery to spot a 25-kilometre ring, leading geologists to confirm an impact structure.

## Intelligence Brief
Recent reporting from Space Daily details a significant geological discovery stemming from work by a Quebec amateur astronomer. While using satellite imagery to scout a campsite in the year 2024, the astronomer identified a distinct 25-kilometre ring surrounding Lake Marsal. Following this observation, geologists traveled to the remote location by floatplane the following year. Upon arrival at the site, these scientists discovered shatter cones, which serve as physical evidence confirming the geological feature is an impact structure.


The coverage from Space Daily emphasizes the unusual collaborative chain of events between an amateur enthusiast utilizing remote mapping tools and professional geologists conducting field verification. By reaching the remote Lake Marsal ring via floatplane, the scientific team was able to inspect the terrain firsthand and locate the specific diagnostic features known as shatter cones. These geological formations are widely recognized indicators of extreme shock pressure associated with meteorite impacts, turning a desktop satellite observation into a confirmed geological site.


Context provided in the reporting frames this discovery around the utility of modern satellite imagery in geographical and geological exploration. Amateur researchers increasingly examine public and commercial overhead data to identify unusual surface anomalies that might be overlooked in broader regional surveys. The identification of a 25-kilometre ring structure near Lake Marsal highlights how civilian observation can flag potential targets of scientific interest for subsequent on-the-ground investigation by trained specialists.


As the findings enter the broader scientific discourse, ongoing coverage does not yet specify what formal naming conventions, detailed geological mapping, or future research expeditions will follow the initial floatplane confirmation. Observers and researchers will likely monitor whether additional field teams return to the Lake Marsal structure to conduct comprehensive sampling or dating analyses of the surrounding rock formations. For now, the available details remain strictly tied to the initial satellite sighting in 2024 and the subsequent floatplane expedition that located the confirming shatter cones.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| ScienceDaily | A strange circle on satellite maps turned out to be a 390-million-year-old impact crater | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibkFVX3lxTE1XanMtSy1ySnRocWY2aGFEUXBiZ3prempuZEpKdEZkN0Z1bk5CWG14OEwyazAybENBeUY2enNxaklTTlFoVGI2TURNaDA3RHhUQk1VVmVrWldQWldlbjZSTHJHMXFsN2tiazRlT1lR?oc=5) |
| Space Daily | A Quebec amateur astronomer was scouting a campsite using satellite imagery in 2024 when he spotted a 25-kilometre ring around Lake Marsal, and geologists who reached it by floatplane the following year found shatter cones confirming a roughly 390-milli | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwJBVV95cUxPdjVrMlRGdU1XcWRSRV9tTExVY2ZMRUd5dGttWEtXMGl3RzYwb2MwekxVZzBXZV9hNG5PMDQwdFM0X2t5Q2tSZ1ktUktFMGhVa0VkaHlzYmhpTEZvZ3pqS29IYnk1azk5Unh5UFFQSHBveGZpaWhIbklwZzdGY29RXzR1ZGZMY29GWVRQMFVEVjJqQkxqbm5ybGpIUjlpX3ZrWHpFemJrbXc1a3czTjE0ZGppNGdRRzNSZ3FhNVNEaHJULW54MzByNDRUVFdTSml5UmJUNFBXTjkyWmJtMFh2SDZPNkF3RkROS3JwLVR6aEkyc3JBTFF1djlJRFQxZENtaHlzeW53Y0Nqd1BCOUVxZUh3dnFIUllERFB0UTcxTWNhOGJoOUk1SHVLcGhWbmtpS19qV19Jck9MUUJhT291NjZiWE90ZDg?oc=5) |

---
*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-09-21/a-quebec-amateur-astronomer-was-scouting-a-campsite-using-satellite-imagery-in*