The Brent Crater
Text from the plaque
First recognized in 1951 from aerial photographs, the crater is a circular depression about 3 km in diameter formed in Precambrian crystalline rocks. Geophysical and diamond drilling investigations show that the crater has a present depth of about 427 metres but is partly filled by sedimentary rocks with a thickness of 274 metres. The rocks beneath the crater floor are thoroughly fragmented over a depth of 610 metres. Like the similar New Quebec (Chubb) crater, the Brent crater is attributed to the high speed impact of a giant meteorite. It is calculated that the impact released energy equaling 250 megatons of TNT and occurred about 450 million years ago when this area was probably covered by a shallow sea.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The District of Nipissing
The Township of Papineau-Cameron
At the lookout tower on the eastern rim
of the crater on Brent Road, 32 km south of Highway 17
2 km east of Ferry Lane in Deux-Rivières on Highway 17
N 46 04.243 W 78 27.655
Recorded August 2004. Check current access before visiting.
More information
Where it stands
Related
Visitors' notes
June 21, 2012
How would one get to Brent Crater from Ottawa, Ontario? I know how to get to Algonquin Park - Is it near there? Thank you so much! Teri Massia
February 1, 2011
K'an here. Happy to see my contribution still online! I'd just like to remind anyone who wants to visit this location in summer months: Mosquitoes are aggressive and abundant. Do NOT forget your bug juice. (I did.)