Carswell impact structure

Carswell is an impact structure within the Athabasca Basin of the Canadian Shield in northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

The central peak complex of faulted metamorphic rocks displays shatter cones, planar deformation features, pseudotachylyte veins, and impact melts and breccias.

The Carswell Formation, composed of algal limestone, may have formed on seamounts elevated to near the surface as part of the peak ring.

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.

Motorists driving to the structure need to carry sufficient fuel and supplies for the round trip back to La Loche.

Landsat image with crater structure overlain. The central zone is the highly faulted central peak complex including the Peter River gneiss and the Earl River complex. The outer ring is a zone of faulted bedrock including the Carswell Formation and Douglas Formation. Unshaded areas are generally mapped as the William River Subgroup. [ 2 ]