Carswell crater
In the northern part the rim is visible as a series of low hills, in the southern part it is indicated by the course of Douglas River. Carswell Lake (in the upper right) cuts into the crater.
Impact crater/structure
Diameter39 kilometres (24 mi)
Age115 ± 10 million years (Lower Cretaceous)
ExposedYes
DrilledYes
Location
Coordinates58°26′26″N 109°30′24″W / 58.44056°N 109.50667°W / 58.44056; -109.50667
CountryCanada
ProvinceSaskatchewan
Carswell crater is located in Saskatchewan
Carswell crater
Carswell crater
Location of Carswell crater in Saskatchewan
Topo mapNTS 74K5 Cluff Lake, 74K6 Jolley Lake
AccessSaskatchewan Highway 955

Carswell is an impact crater within the Athabasca Basin of the Canadian Shield in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.[1] It is 39 kilometres (24 mi) in diameter and the age is estimated to be 115 ± 10 million years (Lower Cretaceous). The crater is exposed at the surface.

Access

The Carswell Crater can be reached by Saskatchewan Highway 955. The 245 kilometres (152 mi) gravel road begins in the village of La Loche and ends at the old Cluff Lake mine site within the crater. The Cluff Lake uranium mine produced over 62 million pounds of yellowcake during its 22-year operating life.[2] Since the mine is now closed and decommissioned, there are no travel services in the vicinity and no functional airstrip. Motorists driving to the crater need to carry sufficient fuel and supplies for the round trip back to La Loche.

See also

References

  1. "Carswell". Earth Impact Database. Planetary and Space Science Centre University of New Brunswick Fredericton. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  2. "Comprehensive Study Report - Cluff Lake Decommissioning Project" (PDF). Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. December 2003. Retrieved 2013-10-03.


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