Quantifying the inboard transfer of deformation in the Northern Canadian Cordillera

该研究计划的长期目标是了解形成景观的机制，并推进地球和大气过程之间相互作用的知识。为了实现这一愿景，制定了一系列研究目标，并设计了具体的项目，所有这些项目都以加拿大北部科迪勒拉（NCC）为中心。科迪勒地形的时间和空间分布的量化与我们对影响整个加拿大的气候模式演变的理解有关。NCC是研究这些相互作用的构造-气候-景观过程的一个极好的自然实验室，因为：1)板块构造活动的悠久历史导致了加拿大西部的大陆生长，2)北纬高纬度地区，气候变化对冰川侵蚀的地表过程有更强的影响，3)当今的地震活动表明构造力被转移到大陆很远的地方。该研究项目的短期目标是利用各种测年和建模技术来确定位于太平洋和加拿大地盾之间的主要地质构造和构造单元的岩石热历史的空间变化。这些数据将与地质和地球物理观测以及地貌分析提供的其他关于地壳变形的数据集相结合。通过拟议的活动获得的数据将为变形和景观演变模型奠定基础，这将确保实现该计划的长期目标。该研究项目的科学方法旨在为HQP培训提供一个多学科和多样化的研究环境，包括卡尔加里大学的研究小组、政府机构和行业的科学家以及国际合作者之间的合作。HQP培训将包括各种实地、实验室和建模技能、负责任的科学研究行为以及有效传播研究成果。该计划的预期意义在于提高对地质过程的理解，这些过程导致了加拿大西部矿石和矿藏、常规能源和地热资源以及地震危险区的当前分布。景观演化模型将为北美气候模型提供重要的边界约束。

The long-term vision of the proposed research program is to understand the mechanisms that shape landscapes and advance knowledge of the interaction between processes in the earth and the atmosphere. Toward the achievement of this vision a set of research objectives are formulated and specific projects are designed that all center in the Northern Canadian Cordillera (NCC). The quantification of timing and spatial distribution of Cordilleran topography is relevant for our understanding of the evolution of climate patterns that affect the entirety of Canada. The NCC is an excellent natural laboratory to investigate these interacting tectonic-climate-landscape processes because of: 1) the long history of plate tectonic activities that resulted in the continental growth of western Canada, 2) the high northern latitude where climate variations have a stronger effect on surface processes by glacial erosion, and 3) the present-day seismicity that shows tectonic forces are transferred far into the continent. The short-term objectives of the research program aim to use a variety of dating and modeling techniques to identify the spatial variations of rock thermal histories across major geologic structures and tectonic units that are located between the Pacific Ocean and the Canadian Shield. The data will be integrated with other datasets on crustal deformation provided by geologic and geophysical observations and geomorphic analysis. The data acquired through the proposed activities will build the foundation for a deformation- and landscape-evolution model, which will ensure to achieve the long-term objective of the program. The scientific approach of the research program is designed to provide excellent opportunities for HQP training in a multi-disciplinary and diverse research environment that will include collaborations among research groups at the University of Calgary, scientists from government agencies and industry, and international collaborators. HQP training will include various field-, laboratory- and modeling skills, the responsible conduct of scientific research, and effective dissemination of research results. The expected significance of the proposed program lies in the improved understanding of the geologic processes that resulted in the current distribution of ore and mineral deposits, conventional and geothermal energy resources, and zones of seismic hazards in western Canada. The landscape evolution model will provide important boundary constrains for climate models of North America.