Potential for surface rupture from seismic activity in the Richardson fault array

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The Wernecke mountain range of northern Yukon is high and rugged, rising up to 1500 m above the surrounding terrain. Several prominent faults collectively termed the Richardson fault array appear to record the most recent differential motions in the Wernecke Mountains, and the Richardson Mountains to the north. This array cuts across previously formed regional folds that developed approximately 90-60 million years ago. Whether the faults are only slightly younger than the folds, or if they remained active into more recent times, is unknown. The Wernecke and Richardson mountains are one of the most seismically active regions in Canada, implying that the Richardson fault array continues to be active, at least at depth but possibly also at the surface.