NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: South Slave Region

Tags: geological mapping, geology, tectonic evolution

Objective(s): To improve understanding of the tectonic framework of the Hill Island Lake area in the southeastern Northwest Territories by examining, mapping, and analyzing the stratigraphy and deformation of the assemblage and underlying continental crust.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5905. The Hill Island Lake bedrock mapping project is a multidisciplinary geosciences program led by the Northwest Territories Geological Survey, in collaboration with several university researchers. The main research objective of this project is to conduct regional bedrock mapping and supporting analytical work to improve our understanding of the tectonic framework of the Hill Island Lake area in the southeastern Northwest Territories. We will examine the stratigraphy and deformation of the Paleoproterozoic Hill Island Lake assemblage and the nature and deformation of the underlying continental crust. A total of 7 weeks will be spent in the field, from June 28, 2023 until August 15, 2023, in four different camps. Float planes will be used for camp moves and inflatable zodiac boats will be used to access areas of interest from camp. For eleven days, a helicopter in camp will allow for work at sites that cannot be reached in one workday by boat and walking. The team will examine rocks along shorelines and conduct foot traverses inland. Observations (e.g., rock lithology, structural measurement, alteration type) will be recorded in handheld devices and fist-size samples of rock will be collected for laboratory analyses. The samples are cut in the Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS) warehouse and sent to various laboratories in Canada to identify their mineralogy, geochemistry, as well as ages of crystallization, deposition, and metamorphism. With the data, the team will produce geological maps and cross-sections, and write reports that include our field observations and interpretations. All data are available to the public once compiled and released on the NTGS website. Groups with interests in the study 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. Visits to communities are organized upon request. Geological maps, cross-sections and reports will be produced from the data collected in the field and will be available to the public once released on the NTGS website. Presentations are given regularly at local meetings and conferences (e.g., Yellowknife Geoscience Forum), and can be given to a specific group upon request. Northwest Territories 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 19 - August 28, 2024