NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area, North Slave Region, South Slave Region

Tags: physical sciences, geology, seismology, diamond reservoirs, teleseismic observatory

Objective(s): To investigate the structure and composition of the Earth's crust and mantle to depths of 0-300 kilometres; the project team seeks better methods to characterize diamond reservoirs in order to make exploration more efficient and low impact.

Project Description: This ongoing study will investigate the structure and composition of the Earth's crust and mantle to depths of 0-300 kilometres. The research team seeks better methods to characterize diamond reservoirs in order to make exploration more efficient and low impact. Teleseismic observatories are sited in remote locations in either linear or rectangular arrays where they record distant earthquakes for several years. Magnetotelluric stations are similar, but need record for only days or weeks. Each station consists of a sensor buried <1 metre in gravel, a satellite dish, solar panels and battery/electronics boxes. Seismic waves travel from earthquakes occurring around the globe to be recorded by the sensor and transmitted to Ottawa using the satellite telemetry link (same as TV signals) where they can be publically accessed via the internet. Communication of progress on this project will occur via presentations at the Yellowknife Geoscience Forum and the research team will publish final results in scientific journals. The NT Geoscience Office will take the lead in communicating these results with related geology studies. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from May 2, 2012 to December 31, 2012.