Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #218: Devonian stratigraphy of the Boothia Uplift, central Canadian Arctic Islands  (Devonian of Boothia Uplift)

Outline
The Boothia Uplift is a region in the central Canadian high Arctic islands that has experienced repeated tectonic activity for at least 1.2 billion years, and is geographically coincident with an area of demonstrated economic mineral potential. This region, the Cornwallis District, contains numerous base-metal showings, including the Polaris zinc-lead deposit, which was successfully mined for over 20 years. It is known that several distinct phases of tectonism were responsible for structurally preparing the region's rocks for mineralization (Late Silurian - Early Devonian), and for driving the fluids that emplaced the ore (Late Devonian - Early Carboniferous), but the structural evolution of the region during these critical times is only superficially known. Establishing a better understanding of the late-Silurian - early Devonian tectonic event, and how it affected the region's various subdomains structurally, would contribute greatly to the understanding of the Cornwallis base-metal district, the geographic variation in its mineral potential, and the ability to focus exploration on areas of greatest prospectivity. Previous studies of the Boothia Uplift have identified several general structural domains, but detailed structural mapping is hampered by poor exposure of dominant fault and fold structures. Early Devonian tectonism along the Boothia Uplift resulted in geographic differentiation of nearby sedimentary facies into local sub-basins whose preserved sedimentary content depends on the degree of nearby uplift and the nature of uplifted rock that shed sediment. The Devonian stratigraphic succession in the area consists, therefore, of many small units of unknown thickness and limited geographic extent, whose relative ages and genetic relation to other units of purportedly similar age are poorly constrained. One way to illuminate the subject of the region's structural evolution is to study the sedimentary deposits that accumulated as a result of the early Devonian uplifting, how they vary along the length of the uplift, and how they vary from one side of the uplift to the other, in a well constrained temporal framework. The Early to Middle Devonian sedimentary succession may be critical to understanding the structural evolution of the Cornwallis District and attendant controls in mineralization. A focused study on Devonian stratigraphy in the area of the Boothia Uplift would contribute greatly to the understanding of this region for both academic and economic ends.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The proposed project is directed at illuminating the geologic history of an economically important area that is bedevilled by a succession of poorly understood but important tectonic and sedimentologic events. The events and strata can be correlated to rocks in northern Greenland and westernmost Europe (Themes 2,3,4 and 6).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
None as yet.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Selected locations on Devon, Bathurst, Cornwallis and Somerset islands.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/07-08/07      06/08-08/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The only significant requirement for this project is funding for aircraft time to transport the scientists to the locations where data are to be gathered. As is usual for aircraft in the Arctic, coordinating and sharing of ferry time is desirable. No physical facilities are required; the field work will be done from a succession of light, backpacking-style camps and removed completely with each camp move.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The legacy of this project will be in the form of published scientific papers. The project is specifically designed to leave no physical mark of its presence or activity in the field.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?


The proposed activity arises from questions uncovered in the process of previous, related research, but constitutes an independent project with its own timeline and deliverables

How will the project be organised and managed?
It is anticipated that the work will be conducted by one or several graduate students as part of research towards a graduate degree. The field work will be supervised by the PI both in the field and during follow-up work at Laurentian University.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Progress reports will be provided to Nunavut Research Institute and communities annually. Interim and final conclusions will be presented both at academic conferences and as papers published in international journals. Graduate student(s) will become qualified Arctic researchers as a result of the experience of pursuing this research.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The project's data will be in the form of stratigraphic diagrams and photographs, which will be published in national and international journals. Progress reports will be provided to Nunavut Research Institute and communities annually

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The PI has engaged in similar research in the Arctic for a number of years. It is envisaged that the work will be funded through a combination of the PI's research funds and funds contributed by interested agencies of the federal and territorial governments, who have supported previous work in the same vein.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Elizabeth Turner
Dept. of Earth Sciences Laurentian University
Ramsey Lake Rd.
Sudbury, ON
P3E 2Z3
Canada

Tel: 705-675-1161 x2267
Mobile: no
Fax: 705-675-4898
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation