Save René-Levasseur Island

History and Geological Caracteristics of the Island

Origins of the Island

Let's step back in time say, 214 million years ago. We are then in the Mesozoic era, in the end of the Trias period. The first dinosaurs have recently appeared a few million years before. They will reign for approximately 150 Million years. The earth is a very different place, there is only one continent that we call Pangea.

Then something very unusual happens. An immense meteorite descends on earth, clocking in at 17 kilometres per second (61 200 km/h). The shockwave is 40 million times greated than the one at Hiroshima. The impact crater drifted with what was to become North America onthe 51st parrallel, 300 kms to the north of what was to become the town Baie Comeau. The meteorite with an approximate diametre of five kilometres creates a creater 100 km in diametre. This crater is later known as Manicouagan, is flooded to become the Manic 5 dam's reservoir, forming what we now know as the Rene-Levasseur Island with a surface area of 2040 square kms

As shown in the photo above, the traces of this event are visible from outer space. Being the fourth largerst impact crater in the world, it justly earns it's title as the "Eye of Quebec" ("l'oeuil du quebecquot;). It is obviously of an incredible value as a geological event and should be left undisturbed.

The crater has long been surroundes by many lakes and rivers, but it is during the sixties that the island's appearance changed. he Manic 5 dam artificially raised the water level (for it's reservoir)to create the Rene Levasseur Island as we now know it.

Sources:
Des cailloux venus du ciel, Le devoir, 30 nov 2003
Tout sur les dinosaures, France Loisirs, 1986
Earth Impact Database, http://www.unb.ca/passc/ImpactDatabase/