The Exeter Lake esker: Nature and origin of North America's longest esker
Principal Investigator: Bilak, Grayson S (2)
Licence Number: 16585
Organization: Carleton University
Licensed Year(s): 2019
Issued: Jun 26, 2019
Project Team: Grayson Bilak, Don Cummings

Objective(s): To determine the nature and origin of the Exeter Lake esker.

Project Description: This research project aims to determine the nature and origin of the Exeter Lake esker, and focuses on further constraining key parameters for exploration purposes. Eskers are deposited in dynamic glacial environments, and many factors need to be considered during exploration including but not limited to; how far has the sediment traveled from the original source, how large of an area is the esker sampling, and in which grain size fraction are key indicator minerals most concentrated. By further examining the Exeter Lake esker system we will enhance our understanding of these factors, and the practicality of esker-based exploration. Initial target locations for sampling will be identified prior to the field season using aerial photographs and satellite imagery. In the field sample locations will be accessed using a combination of float-planes, helicopters, and foot traverses. Sediment samples from the esker ridges and adjacent till will be obtained by hand using a spade, and ~ 5-10 kg of sediment sampled. Bedrock samples along the esker transect will also be collected by hand using a small hammer and chisel, and ~ 2-5 kg of rock collected per sample. At Carleton University the samples will be processed and various characteristics including; grain size, shape, and lithology will be investigated to give us a better understanding of how eskers were formed. The Principal Investigator (PI) will be presenting the findings to any interested local community members at the Yellowknife Geosciences Forum in the form of either an oral presentation or poster presentation. Here the PI will discuss the techniques and methods employed during the research, as well as any findings and conclusions. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 1, 2019 to August 15, 2019.