Haughton impact crater, Impact crater on Devon Island, Canada
Haughton impact crater is a depression roughly 20 kilometers across on Devon Island in Nunavut, formed when space debris struck the ground. The site displays fractured rock layers and a distinctive bowl shape that remains visible across the remote Arctic terrain.
This crater formed roughly 23 million years ago when a space object collided with Earth. The impact left behind a distinctive geological scar that has survived relatively intact to the present day.
The Mars Institute and SETI Institute operate research stations at the crater site to study potential Mars exploration scenarios and geological similarities.
The site is reachable only during summer months when extreme cold and darkness retreat from the region. Travel here requires preparation for remote Arctic conditions and consultation with local knowledge.
The crater contains frozen ground mixed with shattered impact rock, creating conditions that unexpectedly resemble the Martian surface. Research teams use this location to test instruments and techniques planned for Mars exploration.
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