Special Sessions
SS-1
Geoscience and Resources at Canada's Northern Frontiers: Challenges and Opportunities
Supported by: GAC Precambrian Division; GAC Mineral Deposits Division
Organizers: John Percival (Geological Survey of Canada; John.Percival@NRCan-RNCan.gc.ca), Dave Mate (Nunavut Geoscience Office), John Ketchum, Luke Ootes (NWT Geoscience Office), Mostafa Fayek (University of Manitoba)
Global demand for mineral and energy commodities has brought renewed attention to Canada’s North- perceived to have bountiful, untapped resources. However, existing geoscience knowledge for many regions dates from the 1950s- a quantum leap in understanding at the time, but inadequate to support exploration today. This session will review recent progress in establishing knowledge of the geology, mineral and energy resources and potential of northern Canada’s vast landmass and off-shore region, thereby creating both exploration opportunities and reliable information on which to base land-use decisions.
SS-2
Assembly of North America: A Tectonic and Metallogenic Reappraisal
Supported by: GAC Precambrian Division; GAC Volcanology and Igneous Petrology Division; GAC Planetary Sciences Division; GAC Mineral Deposits Division
Organizers: Andrey Bekker (University of Manitoba; bekker@cc.umanitoba.ca), Sally Pehrsson (Geological Survey of Canada), Natasha Wodicka (Geological Survey of Canada), Christian Böhm (Manitoba Geological Survey)
The basement of the North American continent is well exposed on the Canadian Shield and various ranges of the North American Cordillera, allowing for high-resolution geological and geophysical studies. Assembly of North America began in the Mesoarchean and commenced in earnest by the Neoarchean, when many of its constituent cratonic blocks formed. By the middle Paleoproterozoic the cratonic components had been through cycles of assembly and break-up until finally amassed into what is now known as the Canadian Shield.
Recent progress in geological mapping and geochronology calls for reconsideration of details of the internal architecture of the Canadian Shield as well as the timing of its assembly, with concomitant impacts on its regional metallogeny. The aim of this session is to initiate a holistic re-evaluation of the timing and sequence in the assembly of the North American continent, and to discuss its internal architecture and mineral potential from a perspective of a variety of disciplines.
SS-3
Tectonic Evolution and Metallogeny of the Superior Province: New Insights from the North Caribou Terrane, the "Ring of Fire", and Beyond
Supported by: GAC Precambrian Division; GAC Volcanology and Igneous Petrology Division; GAC Mineral Deposits Division
Organizers: Scott Anderson (Manitoba Geological Survey; scott.anderson@gov.mb.ca), Christian Böhm (Manitoba Geological Survey), Tim Corkery (MT Corkery Consulting), Peter Hollings (Lakehead University)
The Superior Province is the largest Archean craton on Earth and over the past half century has proven to be a key natural laboratory for studies of ancient geodynamic and metallogenic processes, and their evolution through geological time. Recent models, based on bedrock geology mapping and syntheses of geochemical, geophysical, geochronological and isotopic data, evidence considerable progress in understanding the tectonic evolution of the craton, with important implications for mineral exploration. This special session will highlight new geoscientific results from the Superior Province. We particularly encourage contributions based on field or remotely-sensed bedrock geology mapping, integrated with geochemistry, geochronology, structural analysis or mineral deposit studies.
SS-4
Diamond: From Birth in the Mantle to Emplacement in Kimberlite
Supported by: MAC
Organizers: Maya G. Kopylova (University of British Columbia; mkopylov@eos.ubc.ca), Yana Fedortchouk (Dalhousie University)
The session will communicate recent studies on diamonds, their inclusions, kimberlites and kimberlite-derived mantle xenoliths. We invite contributions that address diamond environment in the mantle and emplacement in kimberlites through general and regional suites. The session will focus on 1) mineral and fluid inclusions in diamond; 2) the mineralogy of diamond; 3) experimental studies of diamond growth and resorption; 4) petrology of mantle xenoliths; 5) origin and composition of kimberlites; 6) advancements in the scientific paradigm of diamond exploration.
SS-5
Uranium: Cradle to Grave
Supported by: MAC; GAC Environmental Earth Sciences Division
Organizers: Peter Burns (Energy Frontiers Research Center; pburns@nd.edu), Ginger Sigmon (Energy Frontier Research Center)
This session focuses on the multiple aspects of uranium, including products of its use (i.e. transuranium elements, nuclear waste), ranging from mineralogy and ore genesis, environmental fate and transport, nuclear waste disposal, and nuclear forensics analysis.
SS-6
Rare Earth Elements in Melts, Fluids and Crystal Structures
Supported by: MAC
Organizers: Anton Chakhmouradian (University of Manitoba; chakhmou@cc.umanitoba.ca), Ian Coulson (University of Regina)
Rare-earth elements (REE) and yttrium are staple ingredients in the preparation of many advanced materials for innovative and "green" technologies. The emergence of new large-scale REE producers in the 1990s resulted in market asymmetry, undersupply and rising security concerns in parts of the world (including North America), which triggered an unprecedented renewal of interest in this commodity in the academic and exploration communities, and stimulated detailed studies of the previously known REE prospects and new exploration targets. Thanks to these activities, our understanding of the geological processes that control transport and deposition of REE by magmas and fluids, and of the partitioning of these elements in economically important and other minerals has much improved in the past decade. This session will provide a forum for discussion of these developments.
SS-7
Precious and Rare Metals in the Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Environment
Supported by: GAC Mineral Deposits Division
Organizers: Patrick Mercier-Langevin (Geological Survey of Canada; Patrick.Mercier-Langevin@RNCan-NRCan.gc.ca), Harold Gibson (Laurentian University), Simon Gagné (Manitoba Geological Survey)
Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits form in complex environments that encompass a broad range of hydrothermal conditions influenced by geological parameters. Although generally mined for their base metals content, some VMS deposits contain considerable amounts of precious (Au, Ag) and rare metals. The presence of these metals can add significant economic value to an orebody. Hence it is essential to understand under which conditions a VMS system can become enriched. This session calls for contributions that examine the origin, the transport mechanisms, the enrichment processes, the favourable environments, the controls on the distribution, and the alteration signature of precious and rare metals in VMS systems. Contributions that discuss the influence of post-depositional processes and deformation on precious and rare metals distribution and concentration in VMS systems are also strongly encouraged.
SS-8
Layered Intrusions: New Paradigms and Approaches to Understanding Magmatic Processes
Supported by: MAC
Organizers: James S. Scoates (University of British Columbia; jscoates@eos.ubc.ca), Jim Miller (University of Minnesota Duluth)
Layered intrusions have long captivated geologists with their remarkable textures and structures that record the diversity of processes of magma differentiation, recharge, and venting. They are also host to a range of magmatic and hydrothermal mineral deposits whose formation is intrinsically tied to the emplacement and crystallization histories of these bodies and their interaction with country rock. Recent progress in concepts concerning the evolution of layered intrusions is based on integrated studies involving field observations, textural interpretations, experiments, fluid dynamic modeling, and geochemistry and geochronology. Contributions on all subjects relevant to advancing our understanding of processes involved in the development of layered intrusions are strongly encouraged.
SS-9
Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE-Cr Deposits: Ore-Forming Processes with Implications for Exploration
Supported by: GAC Mineral Deposits Division
Organizers: Michel Houlé (Geological Survey of Canada; michel.houle@nrcan.gc.ca), Valérie Bécu (Geological Survey of Canada), Doreen Ames (Geological Survey of Canada), Xue-Ming (Eric) Yang (Manitoba Geological Survey), Paul Gilbert (Manitoba Geological Survey)
Ni-Cu-PGE-Cr commodities are recovered from many different mineral deposit types that are primarily of magmatic origin, and associated with mafic to ultramafic rocks that are commonly altered by secondary processes. Canada is endowed with a wide range of magmatic environments favourable for economic concentrations of Ni-Cu-PGE-Cr mineralization that are neither temporally nor geographically restricted. World-class deposits are increasingly difficult to find and exploit, and consequently a global perspective is required to understand such factors as geological setting, intrusive-extrusive architecture, physical and geochemical interactions with country rocks, transport and deposition of ore-forming minerals, and the causes of subsequent modification (e.g., late-stage magmatic-hydrothermal alteration and deformation). This special session will highlight key ingredients for economic Ni-Cu-PGE-Cr mineralization, including geological, geochemical and geophysical footprints within established and emerging mining camps in Canada and elsewhere around the world.
SS-10
Metamorphism in the Ore Environment
Supported by: GAC Mineral Deposits Division; Society of Economic Geologists
Organizers: Chris Couëslan (Manitoba Geological Survey; chris.coueslan@gov.mb.ca), Doug Tinkham (Laurentian University), David Pattison (University of Calgary), Simon Gagné (Manitoba Geological Survey)
This session is concerned with all aspects of metamorphism and ore deposits, including: metamorphism of ore bodies; regional and contact metamorphism in mining districts; metamorphism of mineralization-related alteration zones; metamorphic minerals as ‘vectors’ to metamorphosed ore deposits; metamorphically-related remobilization; sulphide anatexis during metamorphism; and the role of metamorphic fluids in generating or modifying ore bodies.
SS-11
Paleogeodynamics of the Earth Before Pangea
Supported by: GAC Geophysics Division - IGCP Project 597: "Amalgamation and Breakup of Pangæa: the type example of the supercontinent cycle"
Organizers: Phil McCausland (University of Western Ontario; pmccausl@uwo.ca), Brendan Murphy (St. Francis Xavier University), Joe Hodych (Memorial University), Rob Rainbird (Geological Survey of Canada), Ken Buchan (Geological Survey of Canada), Richard Ernst (Ernst Geosciences)
Much of our understanding of Earth’s geodynamic processes is derived from present-day observations and the geological and geophysical record back to the Pangea supercontinent. It is likely, however, that with secular change the range of possible geodynamic processes for an Earthlike planet is not adequately represented by the most recent 7% of Earth’s history! This session calls for contributions on the Precambrian and Paleozoic record of Earth’s paleogeodynamic evolution, as obtained through studies of paleomagnetism, sedimentary basins, geochronology, style of metamorphism and deformation, geochemistry and isotope geochemistry as well as insights derived from theory and modelling.
SS-12
Advances in Exploration Techniques
Supported by: GAC Mineral Deposits Division
Organizer: Julie Palich (Caracle Creek International Consulting; jpalich@caraclecreek.com)
The reality of modern day exploration means that increasingly we are looking in difficult environments with complex geology for increasingly deep mineralized zones. As a result the last 10-15 years have seen a notable decline in the rate of new discoveries of valuable mineral deposits suggesting that new exploration technologies from a range of disciplines are required to improve our exploration success rate. Contributions on new geophysical, geochemical and geologic exploration technologies/approaches that are addressing these modern exploration challenges are encouraged.
SS-13
Williston Basin and Other Intracratonic Basins - Sedimentology, Stratigraphy, Paleontology and Resources
Supported by: GAC Canadian Sedimentology Research Group
Organizers: Michelle Nicolas (Manitoba Geological Survey; Michelle.Nicolas@gov.mb.ca), Pamela Fulton-Regula (Manitoba Petroleum Branch), James Bamburak (Manitoba Geological Survey), Nancy Chow (University of Manitoba)
The Williston Basin, which underlies Manitoba, Saskatchewan, North Dakota and Montana, is an archetypal composite Phanerozoic intracratonic sedimentary basin. This basin and other intracratonic basins are rich in mineral resources and many of them are mature hydrocarbon producers. The types of resources explored for and extracted, however, have changed with time and economy, becoming ever more diversified. The knowledge we have of these basins expands as the technology used to study them evolves, new information is gathered and theories are tested. This session will cover broad topics including stratigraphy, sedimentology, paleontology, conventional and unconventional petroleum resources, as well as mineral resources within the Williston Basin and other intracratonic basins.
SS-14
Prairie Hydrogeology
Supported by: International Association of Hydrogeologists - Canadian National Chapter
Organizers: Jeff Bell (Friesen Drillers Ltd.; jeff@friesendrillers.com), Graham Phipps (Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship)
The prairie region of North America is highly dependent on groundwater as a source of water supply for municipal, industrial, agricultural and rural residential use. Sustainable management of these water resources requires an enhanced knowledge of the geologic conditions that control the quantity and quality of groundwater. This session will explore groundwater within the geologic framework, climate impacts, management and linkages between surface water and groundwater systems emphasizing groundwater in the Prairie region.
SS-15
Geomicrobiological and Biogeochemical Advances in Environmental Systems
Organizers: Ian Power (University of British Columbia; ipower@eos.ubc.ca), Lachlan MacLean (SRK Consulting)
In natural environments microorganisms play important roles in elemental cycling through mineral precipitation/dissolution, redox reactions, and the degradation of organic materials and are therefore important agents in environmental remediation and pollution control. The aim of this session is to highlight recent advances in our understanding of geomicrobiological and biogeochemical processes with their relevance to the environment. We invite contributions from the fields of geomicrobiology, biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, geochemistry, and related disciplines that have an environmental perspective. Contributions may involve the study of microbe-mineral interactions, biogeochemical processes, elemental cycling, ecosystem characterization, and development of green technologies. Topics include, but are not limited to (1) the microbial formation and sequestration of greenhouse gases, (2) microbial roles in acid and neutral rock drainage, and (3) the bioremediation of pollutants in geological systems (e.g., metals, persistent organic pollutants, and radionuclides). We welcome contributions using a variety of approaches including experimental, field-based, and geochemical modelling studies as well as advances in relevant analytical methods.
SS-16
Impact Cratering: A Geological Process
Supported by: GAC Planetary Science Division
Organizers: Gordon Osinski (University of Western Ontario; gosinski@uwo.ca), Richard Grieve (University of Western Ontario)
It is now widely acknowledged that impact cratering is a fundamental geological process throughout the Solar System. Impact craters are the dominant geological landform on the Moon, Mercury, large parts of Mars, and many other rocky and icy planetary bodies. As such, they represent high priority targets in ongoing and future planetary missions. It has also become apparent over the past two decades that meteorite impact events have also played an important role throughout Earth’s history, shaping the geological landscape, affecting the evolution of life, and producing economic benefits (e.g., the Sudbury mining district). This session welcomes submissions ranging from field and laboratory studies of terrestrial impact craters to results from planetary missions.
SS-17
Terrestrial Analogues for Comparative Planetary Geology and Astrobiology
Supported by: GAC Planetary Science Division and MAC
Organizers: Ed Cloutis (University of Winnipeg; e.cloutis@uwinnipeg.ca), Gordon Osinski (University of Western Ontario)
Terrestrial analogues provide insights into geological and biological processes that may be operating on other planets. Canada is fortunate to have a wide variety of high-quality analogue sites that are relevant to a number of planetary bodies, including the Moon, Mars, and Europa. Many of these sites are the subject of years of study and have attracted international interest and participation. Ongoing investigations at analogue sites, and supporting laboratory studies provide many useful insights relevant to planetary exploration and astrobiology. Analogue sites can be used to study the limits of life, understand geological processes that may be operating on other solar system bodies, and to test hardware for future planetary missions. This session welcomes submission ranging from field and laboratory studies to theoretical modeling, as well as insights from planetary missions.
SS-18
Astromaterials: Meteorites and More
Supported by: GAC Planetary Science Division and MAC
Organizer: Chris Herd (University of Alberta; herd@ualberta.ca)
The study of astromaterials – solid samples of planetary bodies other than the Earth – provides detailed insights into the timing and nature of events that took place during the formation and evolution of our Solar System. The diversity of astromaterials – from primitive, volatile-bearing carbonaceous chondrite meteorites to basaltic lavas from planetary surfaces – reflects the diversity of geologic processes in our Solar System, many of which are not represented in rocks from Earth. The comparative study of meteorites with each other and with Earth rocks yields novel insights into the geologic history of the Earth within the context of Solar System evolution.
SS-19
Featured Articles in Geoscience Canada
Organizer: Brendan Murphy (St. Francis Xavier University; editor Geoscience Canada; bmurphy@stfx.ca)
As of January 2012, Geoscience Canada publishes online only. This strategy has allowed for greater flexibility in the number and type of articles we can publish. In addition to our traditional series and reviews, we now have series including Google Earth and Geology, Analytical Methods, Great Geological Debates, as well as articles by recent Logan and Hutchinson medal recipients. The purpose of this session is to allow authors of recently published or of forthcoming articles to present summaries of these articles and so demonstrate the range of activities undertaken by geoscientists in Canada.
SS-20
Does Geological Research Affect Environmental Decisions?
Organizers: Heather Jamieson (Queens University; jamieson@geol.queensu.ca), Barbara Sherriff (University of Manitoba)
A wide range of decisions with environmental implications including mine permitting, pipeline routing, oil sands development, predicting natural disasters, amongst others, require geological information. New research results can improve those decisions. Do researchers in the earth sciences communicate their results to the appropriate audience? What earth science is emerging that is critical for decision-makers? This session brings together those who are conducting geological research in areas important to policy and those who require that information.
SS-21
Geoscience Professionalism: Issues, responsibilities and information - what do you need to know?
Supported by: Geoscientists Canada; Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of Manitoba (APEGM)
Organizers: Timothy Corkery (Geoscientists Canada; timothy.corkery@gmail.com), Oliver Bonham (Geoscientists Canada), Greg Vogelsang (Geoscientists Canada)
Professional geoscientists around the world are increasingly being looked to by governments, by industry and by academic institutions to assist with the setting of standards for communication of geoscience information relevant to public safety, sustainable development and capital investment; and standards and content of academic training and experience required for safe and competent geoscience practice. This session will look at professionalism in geoscience in Canada and globally: national and international whys and wherefores of professional registration, global trends toward public protection and individual accountability, and why this is important to all geoscientists.
SS-22
First Nations Geoscience
Organizers: Jeff Young (University of Manitoba; jyoung@cc.umanitoba.ca), Linda Murphy (Manitoba Geological Survey)
This special session will bring together First Nation elders (ancestral teachers) and members of the geological community interested in creating mutually respectful outreach programs to First Nation youth. To be effective, geoscience outreach programs need to combine both ancestral and mainstream scientific knowledge bases in their delivery. This session will share information, explore the design of outreach programs and highlight the teaching experience through understanding cultural contrasts in teaching methodology.
SS-23
Magmatic-Hydrothermal Deposits: Porphyry, IOCG and Epithermal Systems
Organizers: Hamid Mumin (Brandon University; mumin@brandonu.ca), Jeremy Richards (University of Alberta), Louise Corriveau (Geological Survey of Canada)
Bringing together talks from a variety of broadly related magmatic-hydrothermal ore types will highlight many of the similarities, differences, linkages, continua and discontinuities, both spatially, temporally and genetically between these three major deposits classes. We encourage submissions that may highlight some of the unusual deposits, processes or environments that may be transitional, or show spatial or genetic links between deposit types. This approach is important for students and researchers who wish a better understanding of the processes and environments that result in both linkages and separations between these systems.
General sessions will include mineralogy, crystallography and mineral chemistry; igneous and metamorphic petrology and volcanology; geochemistry and geochronology; structural geology and tectonics; sedimentology; paleontology; Quaternary geology; GIS and remote sensing.
GS-1
Mineralogy, Crystallography and Mineral Chemistry
Supported by: MAC
Organizers: Yana Fedortchouk (Dalhousie University; yana@dal.ca), Olivier Gagné (University of Manitoba), Zhihai Zhang (Dalhousie University)
GS-2
Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology and Volcanology
Supported by: MAC
Organizers: Ekaterina Reguir (University of Manitoba; umreguir@cc.umanitoba.ca), Ryan D. Kressall (Dalhousie University)
GS-3
Geochemistry and Geochronology
Supported by: MAC
Organizers: Christian Böhm (Manitoba Geological Survey; Christian.Bohm@gov.mb.ca), Alfredo Camacho (University of Manitoba)
GS-4
Structural Geology and Tectonics
Organizers: Scott Anderson (Manitoba Geological Survey; scott.anderson@gov.mb.ca), Paul Kremer (Manitoba Geological Survey)
GS-5
Paleontology
Organizer: Robert Elias (University of Manitoba; eliasrj@ms.umanitoba.ca)
GS-6
Quaternary Geology
Organizers: Michelle Trommelen (Manitoba Geological Survey; michelle.trommelen@gov.mb.ca), Roger Paulen (Geological Survey of Canada)
GS-7
GIS and Remote Sensing
Organizer: Wooil Moon (University of Manitoba; Wooil.Moon@ad.umanitoba.ca)