Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region
Tags: physical sciences, paleontology, rock, rock chemistry
| Principal Investigator: | Grasby, Stephen (3) |
| Licence Number: | 13799 |
| Organization: | Natural Resources Canada |
| Licensed Year(s): |
2005
|
| Issued: | May 06, 2005 |
| Project Team: | Benoit Bea |
Objective(s): Two anomalous carbonates mounds have been reported on Prince Patrick Island that date back to the Cretaceous age (~78 million years ago). These mounds are thought to be preserved features formed on the sea floor at that time in association with ancient gas seeps. The researchers wish to examine these structures to better understand their origin as they represent rare examples of these features preserved in the rock record. In order to characterize these features the researchers need to first visit the site and conduct detailed onsite observations and measurements. In addition, they would like to better understand the processes, which formed these mounds by studying the chemistry of the rocks. To this end, they will need to systematically collect small hand size rock samples, which will be used for laboratory analyses. The results may provide a novel way to better understand modern day equivalent structures and associated ecosystems in the Beaufort Sea. The researchers will follow the recommendations of the Environmental Impact Screening Committee during the course of their work, in order to minimize the possibility of adverse wildlife encounters and preserve possible heritage sites.
