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CH A R L E V OI X ’ S A S T R O B L E M E
More than 400 million years ago, a meteorite coming from Mars and Jupiter’s asteroid belt
landed on Earth. This important fall created a crater of more than fifty kilometers of diameter,
covering the area from Baie-Saint-Paul to the Mont des Éboulements to La Malbaie. A few years
later, the crater was flooded by the sea. Once the water gone due to ground elevation, the land
was left naturally rich in carbon atoms and oxygen, making it a fertile soil favorable to agriculture
and life.
The phenomenon to which we owe the crater of Charlevoix and its particular relief is today known
as the Astroblème de Charlevoix.
According to Jehan Rondot, geologist of Charlevoix, ‘’of all the earth’s astroblemes, this is the
only one which still has a visible enclosure with a relief that would resemble lunar craters’’.
Although the St. Lawrence River now covers more than one third of the astrobleme, it is possible
to see the crater from the village of Sainte-Marie des Éboulements. The village Les Éboulements
also offers a great view on the hills forming the point of the crater.
Since its opening in 2010, the Observatory of Charlevoix, set in Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu’s
previous Clubhouse, has been welcoming visitors, students and corporate groups for activities
and presentations on the astrobleme and the solar system.
From June to September: www.astroblemecharlevoix.org
PRESTIGE | Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu
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