Nonacho bedrock mapping project

Regions: South Slave Region

Tags: physical sciences, geology, bedrock

Principal Investigator: Martel, Edith (8)
Licence Number: 16831
Organization: Northwest Territories Geological Survey
Licensed Year(s): 2021 2020 2019 2018
Issued: May 26, 2021
Project Team: Beth Fischer, Hendrik Falck, Thomas Chakco, Larry Heaman, Benjamin Neil, Dan Gibson, Rebecca Canham, Alessadro Ielpi, Erin Adlahka, Jacob Hanley, Kerstin Landry, Anna Terrekhova, Andree Roy-Garand, Dawn Kellet, Jade Lockie

Objective(s): To examine sedimentary and volcanic rocks that were deposited on an old craton, in a basin that formed during the collision of two cratons.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No.4949. This project will examine sedimentary and volcanic rocks that were deposited on an old craton, in a basin that formed during the collision of two cratons. The research team aim to document which cratons were responsible for the basin’s formation and at what time they collided. The team will spend 20 days in the field using mainly a boat and a helicopter to access areas of interest. The team will examine the rocks along shorelines and conduct foot traverses inland. The research team will record the observations and collect fist-size samples of rock for laboratory analyses. The samples are cut and sent to various laboratories to identify their mineralogy, geochemistry, and ages of crystallization, deposition, and metamorphism. With the data, the team produce geological maps and cross-sections, and write reports that include the field observations and interpretations. All data collected are available to the public once compiled and released on the Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS) website. Groups with interests in the study area are kept informed on proposed field work, goals, and outcomes of the study. Information about this project is disseminated through the Aurora Research Institute science-license process. Visit to communities are organized upon request. Maps and reports are provided to interest groups, and are available without charge to the public from our NTGS website. Presentations are given regularly at local meetings and conferences, and can be given to a specific group upon request. Geological Survey employees are always available to discuss ongoing geology work with anyone who is interested. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 13, 2021 to August 06, 2021.