Glacial history and dispersal patterns north of Wager Bay, Nunavut
Glacial history and dispersal patterns north of Wager Bay, Nunavut
Glacial history and dispersal patterns north of Wager Bay, Nunavut
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<strong>Glacial</strong> <strong>history</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>dispersal</strong> <strong>patterns</strong><br />
<strong>north</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong>, <strong>Nunavut</strong><br />
J. Campbell, I. McMartin,<br />
L. Dredge, D. Corrigan <strong>and</strong> D. Huntley<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada<br />
<strong>Nunavut</strong> Mining Symposium<br />
April 9, 2013
20 km<br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Modified from Paul et al. (2002)<br />
• Archean supracrustal belts<br />
(Committee <strong>Bay</strong> <strong>and</strong> others)<br />
– Gold<br />
Surrounded<br />
by prospects<br />
– Ni-Cu , PGE, Ag, base metals<br />
– Emeralds<br />
• Paleoproterozoic<br />
supracrustal belt (Penrhyn<br />
Group)<br />
– Base metals Pb-Zn ± Co,<br />
Cu, Ni = SEDEX?<br />
– Au, Ag<br />
• Plutonic rocks<br />
– Cu <strong>and</strong> PGE<br />
– Mo, Sn, W, U <strong>and</strong><br />
REE metals<br />
• Diamonds
4<br />
Courtesy <strong>of</strong> Kerr <strong>and</strong> Eagles, GCS<br />
GKM Tri-T Surficial Project<br />
• 2010-2012, <strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong><br />
mainl<strong>and</strong> west <strong>of</strong> Repulse<br />
• <strong>Glacial</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scape features<br />
• Ice flow <strong>history</strong><br />
• Regional till geochemistry<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>dispersal</strong> <strong>patterns</strong><br />
• Metallogenic implications
110<br />
240<br />
20 km<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
From Prest et al. (1968)<br />
<strong>Glacial</strong> <strong>history</strong><br />
<strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> area<br />
What is known…<br />
• Competing ice sectors<br />
• Eastern extent <strong>of</strong> major ice<br />
divide in Keewatin<br />
• Superimposed flow<br />
directions<br />
• Converging ice-flow<br />
directions into Rae Isthmus<br />
• Different ice flow directions<br />
on either side <strong>of</strong> Chantrey<br />
Moraine<br />
• Abrupt beginning <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>north</strong>ward meltwater<br />
corridors<br />
• Decreasing marine limit<br />
elevations southward from<br />
240 m asl to 110 m asl<br />
(700’ to 360’ <strong>of</strong> Prest et al.)
625 m<br />
0 m<br />
Ukkusiksalik<br />
National Park<br />
Study<br />
area<br />
DEM generated from CDED 1:250K<br />
topography (courtesy <strong>of</strong> T. Skulski, GSC).<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Rae<br />
Isthmus<br />
25 km<br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Melville<br />
Peninsula<br />
Southampton<br />
Isl<strong>and</strong>
25 km<br />
Study<br />
area<br />
Ukkusiksalik<br />
National Park<br />
Streamlined terrain<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Hill shaded DEM / LANDSAT 742<br />
Produced by MIB-Sherbrooke <strong>and</strong><br />
Louis Robertson (GSC-Ottawa)<br />
Predominant l<strong>and</strong>forms: crag-<strong>and</strong>-tails, drumlins, flutings,<br />
pre-crag ramparts<br />
Material (surface): silty s<strong>and</strong> till, boulders<br />
Composition: local provenance mainly (exotic carbonate train<br />
<strong>north</strong> <strong>and</strong> south <strong>of</strong> RB); sub-angular to sub-rounded clasts<br />
Structure: poorly sorted, massive, some layering <strong>of</strong> clayey<br />
diamict at a few sites<br />
Permafrost features: frost boils, sorted nets, some ice-wedge<br />
polygons<br />
Northward trending crag-<strong>and</strong>-tail l<strong>and</strong>forms<br />
bedrock<br />
crag<br />
2.5 km
Committee <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin<br />
• Early <strong>north</strong>ward<br />
flow<br />
• Previously mapped<br />
• Subglacial conduits<br />
to proglacial<br />
channels<br />
• Sediment–filled<br />
with ice-contact<br />
deposits (eskers,<br />
kames, transverse<br />
ridges, apron)<br />
• Transition to<br />
proglacial outwash<br />
downstream<br />
Meltwater Corridors<br />
Different sediment - l<strong>and</strong>form assemblages<br />
Committee <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin<br />
<strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin Repulse <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin<br />
Aylsworth & Shilts 1989<br />
Repulse <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin<br />
• Late eastward<br />
flow<br />
• Subglacial conduit<br />
• Primarily erosional<br />
channels & other<br />
features<br />
• Variable sediment-<br />
l<strong>and</strong>form assem-<br />
blages<br />
• Some transition to<br />
proglacial<br />
•More bedrock
25 km<br />
Committee <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin<br />
Northward meltwater corridors<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Hill shaded DEM / LANDSAT 742<br />
Produced by MIB-Sherbrooke <strong>and</strong><br />
Louis Robertson (GSC-Ottawa)<br />
Location: bounded by Committee <strong>Bay</strong> drainage basin, filling<br />
topographic lows<br />
Predominant l<strong>and</strong>forms: pro-glacial outwash plains, deltas,<br />
esker ridges, channels, end moraines, hummocks, crevasse-filled<br />
ridges, trimlines, kettles <strong>and</strong> knobs<br />
Material (surface): abundant s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> gravel, boulders,<br />
eroded tills, glacial diamictons, glacial lake sediments<br />
North-flowing meltwater corridors<br />
1.5 km<br />
Kettled outwash plain
25 km<br />
<strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin<br />
Repulse <strong>Bay</strong><br />
drainage basin<br />
Eastward meltwater corridors<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Hill shaded DEM / LANDSAT 742<br />
Produced by MIB-Sherbrooke <strong>and</strong><br />
Louis Robertson (GSC-Ottawa)<br />
Location: bounded primarily by Repulse <strong>Bay</strong> drainage basin,<br />
Predominant l<strong>and</strong>forms: shallow channels, sharp scarps,<br />
hummocks, transverse ridges, kettles <strong>and</strong> knobs, minor esker<br />
ridges, channels, end moraines, crevasse-fill ridges<br />
Material (surface): eroded till, boulders, glacial diamictons,<br />
s<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> gravel<br />
46L<br />
46E<br />
SPOT 10m / LANDSAT 742<br />
North-flowing meltwater corridors<br />
1 km<br />
2km<br />
Shallow, well-defined subglacial conduits
25 km<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Hill shaded DEM / LANDSAT 742<br />
Produced by MIB-Sherbrooke <strong>and</strong><br />
Louis Robertson (GSC-Ottawa)<br />
Upl<strong>and</strong>s with glacial troughs (U-shaped valleys)<br />
Location: valleys<br />
Surface characteristics: deeply incised U-shaped valleys,<br />
striated bedrock<br />
Evidence for reverse flow direction: glacially eroded<br />
trough, striations, some eskers indicate flow into <strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong><br />
Material (surface): till veneer, lake/marine sediments, esker<br />
sediment, colluvium<br />
<strong>Glacial</strong> troughs (U-valley)<br />
1 km<br />
U-shaped valley
25 km<br />
Relict weathered terrain<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Hill shaded DEM / LANDSAT 742<br />
Produced by MIB-Sherbrooke <strong>and</strong><br />
Louis Robertson (GSC-Ottawa)<br />
Location: upl<strong>and</strong> bedrock plateau<br />
Surface characteristics: subdued topography, subtle to no<br />
evidence <strong>of</strong> glacial scouring, no patterned ground, few lakes<br />
Material (surface): extensive to patchy weathered bedrock,<br />
weathered blocky till (angular to sub-rounded, granitic to gneissic<br />
rock fragments in a stony, granular s<strong>and</strong> matrix), coarse residuum<br />
(regolith), some erratics (weathered)<br />
Pre-Late Wisconsinan relict terrain<br />
- A product <strong>of</strong> cold-based glaciation?<br />
Weathered bedrock<br />
Weathered till
08˚(1)<br />
122˚ (2)<br />
Older striations preserved on faceted surface<br />
Mapping<br />
ice-flow sequences<br />
<strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> area<br />
• Erosional indicators on bedrock<br />
• Sense indicators<br />
• Multiple directions with crosscutting<br />
relationships<br />
• Various subglacial l<strong>and</strong>forms –<br />
some intersecting<br />
Roches moutonnées <strong>and</strong> whaleback forms<br />
on gabbro dykes Reversed nailhead striae
Superimposed streamlined l<strong>and</strong>forms<br />
N 1<br />
2<br />
0 1<br />
2<br />
Km
15 km<br />
Striation<br />
map<br />
Chantrey<br />
moraine<br />
system<br />
Hill shaded DEM from CDED 1:250K<br />
Produced by Louis Robertson<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Melville<br />
moraine<br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong>
Ice-flow<br />
sequence<br />
15 km<br />
Chantrey<br />
moraine<br />
system<br />
Hill shaded DEM from CDED 1:250K<br />
Produced by Louis Robertson<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Melville<br />
moraine<br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong>
Regional-scale drift sampling<br />
<strong>Nunavut</strong> Mining Symposium<br />
April 9, 2013
Till sample<br />
location map<br />
15 km<br />
Legend<br />
2010 n = 46<br />
2011 n = 114<br />
2012 n = 146<br />
Total = 306<br />
Hill shaded DEM from CDED 1:250K<br />
Produced by Louis Robertson<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong>
Cy-horizon till samples<br />
• Turbic <strong>and</strong> static cryosols<br />
• h<strong>and</strong> dug pits from mudboils<br />
• least-weathered<br />
• average depth 30 cm<br />
3 & 10 kg samples<br />
3 kg<br />
Analytical scheme<br />
Major & trace element till geochemistry <strong>of</strong>
Till sample<br />
location map<br />
Total magnetic<br />
field map<br />
15 km<br />
Hill shaded DEM from CDED 1:250K<br />
Produced by Louis Robertson<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
From Skulski et al. (in prep)
PHg<br />
Amgn<br />
Amgn<br />
Agu<br />
Ferromagnetic Supracrustal clasts fraction in till<br />
(% <strong>of</strong> 200 pebbles; 8-30 mm)<br />
(grams /10 kg table feed)<br />
0.9-4.5 0<br />
4.6-6.9 0.1-2.7<br />
7.0-9.0<br />
2.8-5.3<br />
9.1-12.9<br />
5.4-12.0<br />
13.0-19.0<br />
12.1-25<br />
19.1-30.0<br />
Amgn<br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Multi-element<br />
anomaly:<br />
Co-Cu-Ga<br />
Cr 2O 3-Fe 2O 3<br />
Mgt-Si-BIF<br />
Amgn<br />
Carbonate-rich<br />
till<br />
4 km
Till sample<br />
location map<br />
Total magnetic<br />
field map<br />
15 km<br />
Ford Lake<br />
Hill shaded DEM from CDED 1:250K<br />
Produced by Louis Robertson<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
From Skulski et al. (in prep)
10 km<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Geology from Skulski et al. (in prep)<br />
No. Fluorite grains<br />
in till (/10 kg table feed)<br />
0<br />
0 -1<br />
1. -3.9<br />
3.9-20.7<br />
20.7-39.5<br />
39.5-100<br />
Multi-element<br />
geochemical<br />
association<br />
U,(Th),<br />
Hf-HREEs<br />
Nb-Sn-Ta
Cr-Ni-Co<br />
Till sample<br />
location map<br />
15 km<br />
Hill shaded DEM from CDED 1:250K<br />
Produced by Louis Robertson<br />
Committee<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
Repulse<br />
<strong>Bay</strong><br />
From Skulski et al. (in prep)
1 2 3<br />
2<br />
5 km<br />
1<br />
2<br />
1<br />
Walker<br />
Lake 2<br />
1<br />
Amgn<br />
2<br />
APW<br />
1<br />
56J-N<br />
56J-S<br />
56I<br />
? From McMartin et al. (2003)<br />
Multi-element <strong>dispersal</strong> train:<br />
Ni-Cr-Co-Cu IM: chromite & forsterite<br />
Mg±Fe<br />
grains<br />
Agu<br />
2<br />
1<br />
2<br />
1<br />
Ni (ppm) in till<br />
in < 0.063 mm; ICP-AES,<br />
aqua regia digestion<br />
1-11<br />
12-23<br />
24-41<br />
42-68<br />
69-119<br />
119-326<br />
Samples<br />
CB 2003<br />
<strong>Wager</strong> 2012
Summary<br />
Extensive streamlined terrain related to dominant early <strong>north</strong>ward<br />
flow – not latest deglacial flow to the Chantrey Moraine<br />
Late ice streaming <strong>and</strong> flow reversal into <strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong><br />
Eastward flow: last flow from eastern end <strong>of</strong> remnant ice mass<br />
Areas <strong>of</strong> cold vs. warm based ice<br />
Various meltwater corridor types <strong>and</strong> associated sediments &<br />
l<strong>and</strong>forms; bounded by drainage basins<br />
Various meltwater corridor types <strong>and</strong> associated sediments &<br />
l<strong>and</strong>forms; bounded by drainage basins<br />
Dispersal trains parallel to predominant NNE flow <strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>forms –<br />
not so much deglacial flows<br />
Complexity <strong>of</strong> surficial geology demonstrates the need for<br />
establishing the Quaternary framework for successful mineral<br />
exploration in the area<br />
Till clasts <strong>and</strong> geochemistry indicate umapped supracrustal <strong>and</strong><br />
ultramafic (soapstone) & ?1.75 Ga Nueltin? granite sources<br />
<strong>Nunavut</strong> Mining Symposium<br />
April 9, 2013
27<br />
Up-coming publications: Spring 2013<br />
<strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> Surficial Geology Activity<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada Open File Reports:<br />
In press: McMartin, I., Campbell, J.E., Dredge, L.A.., <strong>and</strong> McCurdy, M.W.<br />
Till composition <strong>and</strong> ice-flow indicators west <strong>of</strong> Repulse <strong>Bay</strong>: 2010 <strong>and</strong> 2011<br />
results from the GEM <strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> Surficial Geology Activity. Open File Report 7288,<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada.<br />
In press: Wityk, U., Harris, J. McMartin, I., Campbell, J.E., <strong>and</strong> Ross, M. <strong>and</strong> Grunsky,E.<br />
Remote predictive mapping <strong>of</strong> surficial materials west <strong>of</strong> Repulse <strong>Bay</strong>, <strong>Nunavut</strong>.<br />
Open File Report 7357, Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada.<br />
In prep: Huntley, D., Campbell, J.E., McMartin, I., Wityk, U., Harris, J. <strong>and</strong> Chow, W.<br />
Remote predictive mapping <strong>of</strong> surficial materials: <strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> North area, <strong>Nunavut</strong>.<br />
Open File Report 7118, Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada.<br />
.
Up-coming publications:<br />
April 2013<br />
<strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> Surficial Geology Activity<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada CGM maps:<br />
Campbell, J.E., Little, E.C, Utting, D., <strong>and</strong> McMartin, I. 2013<br />
Surficial geology, Nunuraqtalik Lake, <strong>Nunavut</strong>. CGM-P60,<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada; 1: 50 000 scale.<br />
NTS 56P-South – 4-50k sheets<br />
Campbell, J.E., Little, E.C, Utting, D., <strong>and</strong> McMartin, I. 2013.<br />
Surficial geology, Kinngalugjuaq Mountain, <strong>Nunavut</strong>. CGM-P61,<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada; 1: 50 000 scale.<br />
Campbell, J.E., Little, E.C, Utting, D., <strong>and</strong> McMartin, I. 2013.<br />
Surficial geology, Atorquait River, <strong>Nunavut</strong>. CGM-P62,<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada; 1: 50 000 scale.<br />
Campbell, J.E., Little, E.C, Utting, D., <strong>and</strong> McMartin, I. 2013.<br />
Surficial geology, Curtis River, <strong>Nunavut</strong>. CGM-P63,<br />
Geological Survey <strong>of</strong> Canada; 1: 50 000 scale.
Thanks to:<br />
GSC colleagues: S. Madore & sed lab team, J. Harris, E. Grunsky, L. Robertson, G. Buller<br />
Field assistants: Fiona Humber, Kerry Robillard, Sarah Hashmi<br />
Academia: University <strong>of</strong> Waterloo - MSc. C<strong>and</strong>idate U. Wityk <strong>and</strong> Dr M. Ross<br />
Hunting for shells…<br />
PCSP, Natural Resources Canada Research Affiliate Program<br />
Hamlet <strong>of</strong> Repulse <strong>Bay</strong> & Arviq Hunters <strong>and</strong> Trappers Organization<br />
Naujat Coop <strong>and</strong> Hotel manager: John Kaufmann<br />
Parks Canada <strong>and</strong> RCMP Offices<br />
Industry: Stornoway Diamond <strong>and</strong> North Country Gold
<strong>Wager</strong> <strong>Bay</strong> Surficial Geology Activity<br />
2012<br />
2010<br />
2011<br />
46L<br />
Project framework<br />
3 field seasons in GEM-1<br />
2010-2011-2012 : 31,000 km 2<br />
GSC led activity; within GEM<br />
Multiple Metals Melville Peninsula<br />
Project - CNGO collaboration<br />
Logistics out <strong>of</strong> Repulse <strong>Bay</strong>;<br />
10,500 km 2 within National Park<br />
Objectives:<br />
Provide improved underst<strong>and</strong>ing<br />
<strong>of</strong> Quaternary <strong>history</strong>; distribution<br />
<strong>and</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> Quaternary sediments<br />
(surficial geology maps at 1:100K);<br />
chronology <strong>and</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> ice-flow<br />
sequences; age <strong>and</strong> elevation <strong>of</strong><br />
post-glacial marine limit<br />
Acquire regional-scale drift<br />
composition datasets; till<br />
geochemistry <strong>and</strong> potential indicator<br />
minerals; glacial <strong>dispersal</strong> trends<br />
<strong>and</strong> scales.
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