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.
^"Tunnunik (Prince Albert)". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
^"Researchers discover new impact crater in the Arctic". University of Saskatchewan. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013. The researchers discovered the crater two summers ago while exploring the area by helicopter for the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals program, and it took two years to properly assemble the geological maps and submit their article for publication. Pratt and Dewing named the new discovery the Prince Albert impact crater after the peninsula where it is situated. Note: Geographic coordinates are in the comments section.
