The Crystal Eye of Nunavik: Fascinating Facts About Pingualuit Crater

In the remote, wind-swept wilderness of northern Quebec, a nearly perfect circle glints like a gemstone amid the tundra. Welcome to Pingualuit Crater, also known as the "Crystal Eye of Nunavik". This otherworldly impact crater, created 1.4 million years ago by a powerful meteorite, holds one of the purest bodies of water on Earth. If you're fascinated by astronomy, geology, or simply love stunning natural phenomena, this is a story you don't want to miss.

Article Outline

1. What is Pingualuit Crater and How Did It Form?

2. Why Is It Called the "Crystal Eye of Nunavik"?

3. How Old Is the Crater and What Caused It?

4. What Makes Pingualuit Crater Lake So Unique?

5. Can You Visit Pingualuit Crater?

6. What Kind of Wildlife and Flora Exist Around the Crater?

7. What Role Did the Crater Play in Inuit Culture?

8. How Was the Crater Discovered by Scientists?

9. What Surprising Facts Do Most People Not Know?

10. Why Is Pingualuit Important for Science and Climate Study?

What is Pingualuit Crater and How Did It Form?

Pingualuit Crater is a massive meteorite crater with a diameter of 3.44 km (or 2.14 miles), formed by a high-speed meteor impact in the far north of Quebec. The force of the impact melted rocks and formed what is now an almost perfectly circular crater.

Today, it is filled by Pingualuit Lake, a crystal-clear, crater lake that has become a rare geological treasure.

Why Is It Called the "Crystal Eye of Nunavik"?

Viewed from above, the crater appears as a perfect circle filled with shimmering blue—like an eye staring up from the tundra. This gave rise to its nickname: The Crystal Eye of Nunavik.

The lake inside the crater is often considered one of the clearest lakes in the world, second only to Lake Mashu in Japan.

How Old Is the Crater and What Caused It?

Scientists estimate that the impact happened 1.4 million years ago, during the Pleistocene Epoch. A meteorite traveling at thousands of kilometers per hour slammed into what is now Nunavik, creating the iconic impact crater.

The crater is remarkably well-preserved due to the lack of glacial erosion, making it a valuable site for geological study.

What Makes Pingualuit Crater Lake So Unique?

The lake has no inlets or outlets, meaning it is filled entirely by rain and snow. This gives it exceptional purity, with visibility up to 35 meters—a rare feature even among crater lakes.

It is also one of the deepest lakes in Quebec, plunging up to 267 meters at its center.

Can You Visit Pingualuit Crater?

Yes—but it's not easy. The crater lies within Pingualuit National Park, which is part of Nunavik's remote tundra. Access is typically via Kangiqsujuaq, the nearest Inuit village.

From there, visitors often trek or snowmobile across the tundra, making it a true adventure destination.

What Kind of Wildlife and Flora Exist Around the Crater?

While sparse, the surrounding tundra hosts species like arctic char in the lake, caribou, arctic foxes, and various migratory birds. The landscape is dotted with mosses, lichens, and small shrubs.

The isolation of the area has helped preserve its biodiversity in pristine condition.

What Role Did the Crater Play in Inuit Culture?

The local Inuit communities have known about the crater for generations. They called it Pingualuk, meaning "pimple" in Inuktitut, due to its raised crater rim visible from a distance.

Historically, it served as a navigational aid and a site of legend and lore.

How Was the Crater Discovered by Scientists?

Though known to the Inuit, the first Western discovery came in 1943, when the U.S. Army Air Force photographed the site while mapping the Ungava Peninsula. It was later explored during the 1950s by scientists including Dr. Meen of the Royal Ontario Museum.

It was initially dubbed the Chubb Crater and later the New Quebec Crater before adopting the traditional Inuit name.

What Surprising Facts Do Most People Not Know?

• The lake escaped glaciation, keeping sediment layers intact for climate research.

• It contains a unique population of arctic char that have adapted to life in isolation.

• The site has been featured by the National Geographic Society and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

• It’s been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World" by visitors.

Why Is Pingualuit Important for Science and Climate Study?

The untouched sediment at the bottom of the lake acts like a time capsule, preserving climate data from hundreds of thousands of years ago.

Researchers from Laval University, including Reinhard Pienitz, have studied impact melt rocks, core samples, and lake chemistry to better understand Earth's climate history and the consequences of meteor impacts.

Key Takeaways

• Pingualuit Crater is one of the best-preserved meteorite craters on Earth.

• Formed 1.4 million years ago, it holds Pingualuit Lake, among the clearest lakes in the world.

• Located in Nunavik, the crater is part of Pingualuit National Park.

• It is a place of scientific importance, Inuit cultural value, and natural beauty.

• Visiting the crater is a true expedition, offering pristine views and untold stories from Earth’s ancient past.