Magmatic, tectonic, sedimentary and hydrothermal evolution of cordilleran rifts

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Volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VMS), volcanic- and sediment-hosted massive sulphide (VSMS), and sediment hosted massive sulphide (SEDEX) deposits are important sources of Canada's zinc, lead, copper, silver and gold.  These deposits are commonly associated with environments where tectonic plates are separating relative to one another called 'rifts'.  Rift environments are commonly associated with magmas, volcanoes, and the deposition of sedimentary rocks - most of which are formed underwater in ancient ocean and sedimentary basins.  In addition, heated metal-rich fluids called 'hydrothermal fluids' circulate through the rock packages within the rifts ultimately forming the VMS, VSMS, and SEDEX deposits.  This research grant is aimed at studying the interrelationships between magmatism, sedimentary rocks, and hydrothermal fluid history associated with these rifts within the rocks of the Cordilleran mountain system in the Yukon and northern British Columbia (+/-NWT).  The research is primarily aimed at understanding the temporal variation in the style of magmatism as well as the sedimentary rock depositional history within rift environments.  These studies will increase our understanding of how rift magmatism and sedimentation result in the formation of ancient VMS, VSMS, and SEDEX deposits.  This research has important implications for the Canadian economy (and in particular the northern economy) and will improve predictive models and methods for the discovery, exploration, and exploitation of these important metal resources.  Furthermore, it will train hihgly qualified persons for the careers in academia, government, or industry in the Canadian (and international) mineral exploration and mining sector.